Ywanna BACKMAN Missing Person Case

Ywanna

BACKMAN

72

70

62 inches

62 inches

130 lbs

130 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

In the quiet, rural landscape of the RM of Piney, Manitoba, a sense of unease settled in the autumn of 2023. Seventy-year-old Ywanna Backman, known affectionately as Jean to her friends and family, was a familiar presence in her community. The last confirmed sighting of her was on October 13, 2023. Two days later, on October 15, she had a phone conversation with a friend, the last known contact anyone had with her. Concern for her wellbeing grew, and on October 19, the Sprague RCMP were asked to conduct a welfare check at her home. Upon arrival, officers found a scene that was both ordinary and deeply unsettling. Ywanna was nowhere to be found, but her vehicle was parked at the residence, and inside, personal belongings, including her dentures, were left behind. The kitchen offered a poignant and puzzling clue: it appeared she had been in the middle of preparing breakfast, with bread in the toaster and eggs left out on the counter, a meal that was never finished. The initial discovery at her home prompted an immediate and extensive search of her property and the surrounding area. As days turned into weeks, the search efforts intensified, drawing in a wide array of specialized units and volunteers. The Manitoba RCMP's Search and Rescue team, along with Police Dog Services and aerial support from Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, scoured the region. They were joined by the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), and dedicated volunteers from Winnipeg Search and Rescue and the local community. Despite these exhaustive efforts, no trace of Ywanna was found. Investigators released a photograph of her taken just days before she disappeared, on October 11, showing her wearing a distinctive green jacket, which they believe she may have been wearing when she went missing. The plea for public assistance was amplified, with police urging anyone with any information, no matter how small, to come forward. The disappearance of Ywanna Backman has been described by law enforcement as a perplexing mystery with a frustrating lack of evidence to point them in any specific direction. She lived a quiet life, alone and without a cell phone or computer, which limited potential digital footprints. Her daughter, Vanessa Backman, has spoken of the profound sense of loss and the daily struggle between hope and heartache, while expressing gratitude for the community's support. The case remains an active and ongoing investigation, with the Manitoba Integrated Missing Persons Coordination Centre continuing to review tips and seek new leads. The circumstances of her disappearance, from the interrupted breakfast to the complete absence of clues, have left her family, the community, and investigators searching for answers, holding on to the hope of one day understanding what happened to Ywanna.

Oct 15, 2023

Piney

Manitoba

Sprague RCMP ;

Manitoba

[email protected]

204-437-2041

204-437-2041

Law Enforcement

20231556331

Sprague RCMP ;

Blonde

Hazel

Hazel

Build: Medium; Hair details: Dyed, Shoulder, Gray dyed blonde

No