Richmond RCMP expanded their search for Lianjie Guo, who went missing in Richmond on June 7.
Officers from Richmond's general duties and bike section conducted a search in the field at Garden City Road and Capstan Way under direction of investigators from Richmond's serious crimes unit. She had gone for a walk along the field, according to Corp. Sherrdean Turley.
"Ultimately, we want to locate Lianjie Guo," said Turley, as several officers scoured the field with wooden poles during a press conference held Thursday morning.
"We're hoping to locate any clues that may point us in any direction."
Guo, 47, and her husband Jihui Tang were visiting their son Will Tang from China. They had been in the city 18 days, but on the day they were supposed to leave, Guo went missing. All her belongings are accounted for except for an umbrella, as it was raining when she left for her walk.
"We have no idea what happened, but we're still waiting for my mom," said a visibly shaken up Will Tang, as he and his father held signs with Guo's picture. "Someone said she left because she wanted to stay here, but I don't believe it. That's not possible. She has no other family and friends here."
Tang, an only child, recently graduated from Sprott-Shaw Degree College in Vancouver.
Guo is described as approximately 5'4" tall and 120lbs, with short, spiky black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket with a roses pattern and a fur collar, a red blouse, brown belt, blue jeans and was carrying a red handbag.
"Her disappearance is considered suspicious," said Turley. "We have not ruled out foul play. It was very sudden, she's not from the area and all her belongings were packed and left behind, including her passport."
Officers will continue to investigate other grassy and unpopulated areas in Richmond.
If you know anything of her whereabouts, call Richmond RCMP's watch general investigation section or serious crimes unit at 604-278-1212.
yrobertson@richmond-news.com
