Dozens of Lac La Biche and area residents and family members of a missing 51-year-old woman took part in a local ground search on Saturday morning to find any clues to the disappearance of Rosanna Giacobbo.
The woman and her late model, deep red Ford Explorer have not been seen since October 2.
Family and friends organized a localized search centered around the community of Hylo, about 20 kilometres east of Lac La Biche, where Giacobbo had been staying.
The region’s Little Divide Search and Rescue organization and the Lac La Biche RCMP also took part in the search, which saw teams fan out through a large quadrant of rural countryside, with some even checking areas into the neighbouring Athabasca County.
Red SUV stands out
Searchers are expected to be combing the search area for most of the day. Whether or not clues are discovered to help find the missing woman, family and friends say they hope to keep Rosanna in the thoughts of as many people as they can. They are hoping local and provincial news media along with social media and word of mouth will keep attention on the search for the woman and her distinctive vehicle.
Friends and family hope someone remembers seeing her red SUV.
“It’s a deep red, older model Explorer. Lots of vehicles out there today are silver or white, so red stands out,” says longtime friend Dean Torresan.
The SUV has Alberta licence plate CBH 9814.
Torresan and his wife Carole helped to organize Saturday’s ground search.
“We have so much support in the local area, so we’ll start here. If nothing turns up, we’ll start going west,” said Carole, adding that Rosanna “is like a sister” to her husband.
Some members of the search groups did go further afield, covering areas near Collinton and out towards Grassland — areas where Giacobbo may have traveled if she was heading to Westlock as believed.
Carole says part of her own instinct is that Rosanna could be even further away.
Known for her giving and compassionate personality, she thinks it could be possible Rosanna has become disoriented and perhaps befriended new acquaintances who may not know she is missing.
“We want to spread this message to find her far and wide in case she’s there with someone that doesn’t know she is missing.”
RCMP across the province have sent our news releases on Giacobbo’s disappearance. Police say there is an urgency to locating her as there are health-related factors involved and she may not have her proper medications.
Since her disappearance, family members say her phone has not been working and there has been no activity in her bank accounts.
Anyone with information on the disappearance of Rosanna Giaccobo is asked to contact their local police detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
Westlock travel
Giacobbo was believed to be heading from Lac La Biche to the Westlock area around the time she went missing. She was believed to be driving a deep red Ford Explorer SUV with Alberta licence plate CBH9814.
Giacobbo also has ties to the Edmonton area, living in the city’s north side for a number of years until recently.
Police say they are concerned for Giacobbo’s safety as there are health-related conditions associated and she may be in need of medication.
Giacobbo is described as a five-foot six -inch Caucasian with brown hair and green eyes.
Family say she is a kind and funny woman with a big heart. Those attending Saturday’s search shared concerns for her well-being as they shared stories about her good nature and giving spirit. Many hold out hope that she has simply become disoriented and found new acquaintances who may not realize she is missing.
Giacobbo’s cell phone is not responding and there has been no activity on her bank account since she went missing.
