EARLY LIFE:
Mackenzie Lee Trottier was born to parents Paul and Gina Trottier. The eldest of three children, she grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where those around her describe her as being a smart, kind and gentle person. Not only did she have a love for animals, she also had a talent for singing and dancing, which brought joy to those who watched her perform.
LEAD UP TO DISAPPEARANCE:
Mackenzie was last seen leaving her parents’ residence in the 300 block of Trent Crescent, in Saskatoon’s College Park East neighbourhood, on the evening of December 21, 2020. Before entering a ride-hailing video, she’d told her family that she would see them around Christmas, which was only a few days away.
According to her parents, she did not appear under duress.
DISAPPEARANCE:
According to Paul, Mackenzie last accessed her cellphone on the afternoon of December 24, 2020. It has not been used since. It was on this day that her parents became alarmed, as the young woman hadn’t shown up for Christmas celebrations and had not been in contact with them. Paul and Gina spoke with their two younger daughters, Sadie and Laurenne, to ask if they’d heard from their sister, but they hadn’t had any contact with her. The same was true when they asked Mackenzie’s circle of friends.
Paul looked around the area of north Idylwyld Drive, where Mackenzie is reported to have been dropped off after leaving Trent Crescent. Unfortunately, he found nothing that would indicate his daughter’s whereabouts.
Mackenzie was officially reported missing to police on December 30, 2020.
SEARCH:
In February 2021, police released a photograph of an unidentified man they wish to speak with in connection to Mackenzie’s disappearance, along with security footage of him that had been captured in late December while he was in the 1400 to 1600 block of north Idylwyld Drive. While they believe he may have information related to the case, they have not disclosed much else.
That same month, 34 digital billboards across Canada began showing information about the case, including Mackenzie’s image and name. Each billboard prompts anyone with information to contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Crime Stoppers.
In May 2021, the Trottier family announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to Mackenzie’s return. The money was raised through fundraising efforts put on by the family, their friends, Saskatoon’s art community and agencies from across Canada. The arts community overall has been very active in the search, given Paul’s connection to it – he is both a landscape artist and runs a small art supply store in the city.
Both the family and police are concerned Mackenzie may be a vulnerable state, especially as she hasn’t been active on social media. While she is known to leave home for periods at a time, she always maintained contact with her loved ones.
While investigators with the Saskatoon Police Service’s Major Crime Section are following up on leads, they’ve said there isn’t much information coming in that would point them to Mackenzie’s whereabouts. The family continues to work with the police, as well as Crime Stoppers and the RCMP, in the hopes she’ll be located.
AFTERMATH:
The Trottier family has been incredibly active in their search for Mackenzie, setting up a Facebook group and website dedicated to the case. They have also started the “I am missing” social media campaign, aimed at helping to keep attention focused on those who are missing. Users can frame their profile pictures with the “I am missing” Canadian maple leaf with a puzzle piece omitted, in order to show their support.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mackenzie Lee Trottier was last seen in the 300 block of Trent Crescent in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on December 21, 2020. She was 22 years old, and while what she was last wearing has not been released, her family has shared she normally is dressed in a heavy green jacket and black yoga pants. She typically wears heavy makeup and is known to carry a large purse. At the time of her disappearance, she stood at 5’0″ and weighed 145 pounds. She has medium-length blonde hair that’s shaved on the right side of her head, and green eyes. She has a tattoo on her right ankle, and two piercings: one in the middle of her bottom lip and another on the left side of her nose. Her front teeth are also broken.
Currently, the case is being treated as a missing persons investigation. If alive, she would still be 22 years old.
Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300. Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Image Credit: Facebook
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