'We just have no answers': Family of missing Calgary man hold vigil for awareness

A vigil will be held on tonight for a missing Calgary man whose burned-out vehicle was discovered in British Columbia in November.

Marshal Iwaasa, 27, was studyingat SAITand was last seen by his mother, Tammy Johnson, on Nov.17in his hometown of Lethbridge, Alta.

He told family members at the time that he was returning to Calgary, but he hasnot been seen or heard from since.

On Nov. 25, a burned-out pickup truck was located by the RCMP in Pemberton, B.C., and Calgary police believe the vehicle belongs toIwaasa. It's described as a dark blue 2009 GMC Sierra, with the Alberta licence plate BLL 1099.

Johnson says she was in Oahu, Hawaii, visiting her daughter when she learned from Pemberton RCMPthat they had foundIwaasa's truck.

"We were absolutely in shock because we had no idea," she told the Calgary Eyeopener on Friday. "We just thought Marshalwas back in Calgary at school."

Johnson says her son was then listed as a missing person, but they haven't received any new information from police.

"All we have is questions, and I guess that it's just a mystery and that's why we need the public's help in finding out what happened to Marshal.We just have no answers," she said.

Johnson describes her son as quiet and shy until you get to know him.

"He's got a big group of friends and he has a great laugh that is infectious," she said. "He's just a kind spirit."

Johnson says she hopes that by holding the vigil which is on Iwaasa's27th birthday it will spread awareness andhelpbring answers to her son's disappearance.

"Awareness is the key to having us be able to find Marshal and coming together as communities so that people can learn about Marshal," she said.

Iwaasa is described as five feet, 11 inches tall andapproximately 170 pounds, with brown eyes, amoustache and shoulder-length brown hair, usually worn tied back.

He was last seen wearing a green hoodie, grey tuque, red high-top shoes and black pants.

For those who want to attend the vigil, Johnson says it will be held atWinston Churchill High School in Lethbridge at 6:30 p.m. It will also be live streamed on theFind Marshal IwaasaFacebook page.

Anyone with information about his disappearance or his movements at any point after Nov. 17 is asked to call Pemberton RCMP at 604-894-6634or the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 orwww.calgarycrimestoppers.org.