'It's hard every day': Search continues at Sun Peaks for missing 20-year-old man

Police and volunteers continue to search for 20-year-old Ryan Shtuka, six days after the young man was last seen leaving a party in the early hours of Feb. 17.

Kamloops Search and Rescue suspended its official search on Monday, but Kamloops RCMP are continuing theirinvestigation into Shtuka's disappearance.

"It's hard every day. I think as soon as it starts getting dark and it gets colder, it's hard knowing that your child's still out there, and they still need you and you feel like you can't do anything," Shtuka's mother, Heather, told CBC News.

"You feel helpless."

Heather said friends and family have come from Alberta to help search aroundthe B.C. Interior ski resort, and she's been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the Sun Peaks community. Shtukamoved to Sun Peaks in December to work as a lift operator at the resort.

"For this community to come together the way they have is beyond us," Heather said. "It makes meproud and I find comfort in knowing that Ryan has spent his last three months in such an amazing community."

In Shtuka's hometown of Beaumont, Alta, a community gathering has been organized for Thursday night in his honour.

RCMP ask residents to check outbuildings and vehicles

Kamloops RCMP are asking Sun Peaks residents to check outbuildings and vehicles, as Shtukamay have tried to find warmth in the freezing conditions on Saturday morning.

"Well if somebody is disoriented, they are seeking shelter. It was snowing that morning and it was cold out," said Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie.

"There's those feelings of hopefulness and then there's the harsh reality of knowing that if he's in the elements, at this point in time, we are looking at recovery," Heather said. "So that's hard as a parent."

RCMP are asking the public to contact them at 250-314-1800 if they think they saw Shtuka after 2:50 a.m. on February 17.

With files from Jaimie Kehler