RCMP major crime unit takes over missing woman's case after new details emerge

New details uncovered in the case of a missing Fredericton woman have prompted the New Brunswick RCMP to hand over the investigation to a unit typically tasked with investigating suspicious disappearances.

On the third anniversary of Kari Lynn Rose Campbell's disappearance, the RCMP announced on Monday the investigation has been transferred from the Keswick RCMP detachment to its major crime unit.

"There were some elements and details in the investigation of the disappearance of Kari Lynn Campbell that have led the RCMP to assign the file over to the [major crime unit]," said Cpl. Hans Ouellette, spokesperson for the RCMP.

"And in order not to compromise that ongoing investigation, I can't really speak to those elements and details since, again, they are part of that ongoing investigation."

Campbell, who was 38 years old at the time she went missing, resided in Fredericton but was last seen outside a home on Lower Durham Road in Durham Bridge, about 20 kilometres north of the capital city, at 9 a.m. on Aug. 19, 2021.

She was reported missing three days later, prompting a search of the Lower Durham Road area on Aug. 28 and 29, 2021.

Ouellette declined to share any details about what new information prompted the RCMP to transfer the investigation to its major crime unit.

According to the RCMP's website, the unit is in charge of investigating new and unsolved homicides, attempted homicides, suspicious deaths and disappearances, and high-profile cases.

Ouellette said the unit has "dedicated police officers" who will hopefully bring more attention to the case, though he defended the work already done by officers with the Keswick detachment, as well as the decision to not hand over the case earlier.

"She has always remained a priority for the New Brunswick RCMP," he said.

"Whether ... the file was actually handled by the detachment of Keswick or whether it's handled by the major crime unit, the same amount of attention and the same amount of priority is placed on this missing person."

In a news release last year, RCMP Cpl. Kevin Jones said considering the amount of time that's passed since she went missing, police believe Campbell might be dead.

However, speaking on Tuesday, Ouellette said police don't know for sure whether she's alive.

"At this time, that is our hope, is that Kari Campbell will be found alive," he said.