A film crew working on a documentary about the 2009 disappearance of Jodi Henrickson is making waves, having recently uncovered potential evidence related to her case. Henrickson, who was just 17 when she went missing from Bowen Island, British Columbia, remains one of the region's most haunting cold cases. Her story captured national attention, and now, nearly 15 years later, the search for answers has been reignited.
This past weekend, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was alerted by the documentary team. Jenni Baynham, the producer of the documentary titled “Finding Jodi,” explained to media outlets like CTV News and CBC News how her crew was using cadaver dogs from the Canadian Cadaver Canines Association to investigate tips they had received. Their efforts led the dogs to indicate certain areas of interest, prompting them to reach out to law enforcement authorities.
"Two of the cadaver dogs indicated an area of interest, which by the cadaver dog protocol meant we had to contact the RCMP and let them know," Baynham detailed. Their discovery was significant enough to warrant the presence of homicide investigators on the island shortly afterward. By staying overnight, the team was able to provide necessary statements and information about their search findings.
While no remains were found at the site, Baynham stressed the importance of the investigation continuing. The crew’s findings have opened another avenue for IHIT to explore, as investigators have emphasized their commitment to pursuing every lead since taking over the case from the RCMP back in 2010.
Jodi Henrickson's disappearance is as perplexing as it is tragic. On June 19, 2009, she told her family she was going camping at Cultus Lake, yet ended up attending house parties on Bowen Island instead. The last confirmed sighting of Jodi was with her then-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, walking hand-in-hand near the Miller’s Landing turn-off early the next morning.
Henrickson was reported missing after she failed to return home, and since then, her case has puzzled families, friends, and authorities alike. While Gavin Arnott initially attracted police interest due to their relationship, he was never officially labeled as a suspect. Still, his name resurfaces every so often as investigators seek insights about Henrickson's last hours.
The documentary team is aware of Arnott's significance to the case and has expressed intentions to interview him as part of their production, which they hope to release by 2026. “It’s very important we speak with the last known person to be seen with her alive,” said Baynham, hinting at their plans to confront Arnott about what he knows. Reports have indicated Arnott’s brush with the law shortly before this new wave of investigation, as he faced assault charges this past summer over unrelated allegations.
Despite the long years without closure, the buzz surrounding the new documentary and the potential evidence discovered by the film crew seems to galvanize hope within Jodi's family and the local community on Bowen Island. Baynham pointed out how the disappearance left many unsettled, saying, "There’s been a cloud over Bowen Island. The people of Bowen Island are really looking forward to this cloud being lifted, hoping it will bring Jodi's family some closure.”
Jodi Henrickson was not just another case; she was seen as vibrant and liked, someone who loved to socialize and fit well within her community. Her friends and family continue to mourn her absence, and the very fabric of Bowen Island's society still carries the weight of her disappearance. Baynham’s documentary aims not just to solve the mystery but also to shed light on the very real emotional scars left for those who knew Jodi.
IHIT remains open to assistance from anyone who may possess helpful tips related to the disappearance. Spokesperson Sgt. David Lee reiterated the unit's long-standing commitment to finding out what happened to Henrickson and urged the public to share any information they might have. With this newest development, the hope for justice for Jodi Henrickson persists, and her name remains at the forefront of community discussions.
There’s no telling how the new leads will affect the case, but the filmmakers, the local community, and the Henrickson family are fueled by hope—a hope for answers, for closure, and perhaps even for justice.
