IHIT renews appeal for information on 15th anniversary of Kellen McElwee's disappearance

It's been 15 years since KellenMcElwee was last seen, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT)is making another public appeal for information into the Burnaby, B.C., man's disappearance.

The 25-year-old was out with three friends at the Keg Steakhouse & Bar in Langley, B.C., on the evening of March 19, 2008, and was last seen walking to his vehicle, which was parked in the Colossus movie theatre parking lot nearby.

The case was taken over by IHITa month after his disappearance, and police said they believed McElweehad met with foul playand were treating the case as a homicide.

Police said his grey 2006 Honda Civic was found a few days later parked on HalifaxStreet, not far fromhis apartment in Burnaby and had been driven by someone who used his keys.

"We're asking anyone with new information or who has yet to speak with police to contact us," saidSgt Timothy Pierottiin a written statement on Monday, "Fifteenyears have passed, and IHITremainsdedicated to Kellen's family."

McElwee, who would now be 40, isdescribed as awhite, five feet 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds,with dirty blond hair,blue eyes and awhite dragon tattoo below his left shoulder.

Person of interest

IHIT said during the early stages of its investigation, officers found a person of interest on a CCTVcamera leavingMcElwee's apartment building the evening he went missing. The person in the photos was wearing a winter jacket with a fur-rimmed hood and carrying a DC-brand backpack.

"We are hopeful that someone might recognize this person from the distinct Christian Audigier-stylepuffy jacket with fur around the hood," Pierottisaid. "We believe this person may have information that could help advance this investigation."

In 2013, on the fifth anniversary of McElwee's disappearance, police said they hadnot made any conclusive links to gangs, drugsor organized crime as factors in hisdisappearance. McElwee's parents have also tried to help the case by offering $50,000 and $100,000 rewards.

Anyone who has information about McElwee's disappearance is being asked to contact IHITby calling1-877-551-4448or by emailingihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.