Efforts to renew the search for James 'Jim' Barnes and his dog Murphy have gained momentum, as they remain unaccounted for following a hunting trip in the Chetwynd region.
A petition launched on the ‘iPetitions’ platform on November 27, 2024, has already gathered more than 1,000 signatures. The petition aims to rally public support, urging the RCMP, rescue teams, and MLAs to allocate additional funding and resources to resume the search efforts.
“We, the members of the public, recognize the demand for urgent action to bring these two home alive. Please consider allocating additional resources to expand upon previous search perimeters to assist uncovering additional information to help locate Jim & Murphy,” says the description on the petition’s page.
On November 26, 2024, another young man who went missing around the same time as Jim was found alive in northern BC. Sam Benastick endured over 50 days in the wilderness, this individual, like Jim, possessed comparable bush experience and skills.
On October 18, Barnes was reported missing to the Fort St. John RCMP after he did not return from a hunting trip in the Groundbirch area. Barnes’s 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck was discovered on Ground Birch Road, near 269 Road since then. Inside the vehicle were his keys, wallet, backpack, rifle, and other valuables.
James Joseph Edmund Barnes is described as a 28-year-old Caucasian male, standing 5’11” (180 cm) tall and weighing around 200lbs. He has brown hair, brown eyes, and a prominent mustache. He was last seen wearing a green/blue TC Energy ball cap, a green or blue hoodie, and jeans.
Anyone who was in the area of 269 Road and Ground Birch Road, has dash cam footage, or has seen his dog Murphy is urged to contact the police.
If you were in the area after James was reported missing and have observed anything that could assist investigators, please contact the Chetwynd RCMP at 250-788-9221.
Your information could be crucial in helping to locate him.
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