Inspector Tom Warren, the lead in the homicide investigation, provided an update this morning.
He says Smith admitted in court in early August that he was the person who picked up Cortney Lake at 7:54 p.m. on June 7 on Michener Avenue in Mount Pearl. He confirmed that Smith was a suspect, and at this point, is the only suspect in the investigation.
Smith took his own life. His body was located in Bellevue Beach November 1, and prompting an intensive search of the area led by the RNC.
Members of Lake’s family were on hand for today’s police update, sitting along the wall and holding pictures of Cortney.
Family members of Cortney Lake sat near by, during the conference update held at the RNC Headquarters. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/10JvzrJFXj
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) November 14, 2017
Inspector Warren says they have conducted over 100 interviews in connection with the case and they believe that some of those they spoke with withheld information, because some of it contradicts factual evidence.
Police provided a new timeline in today’s news conference. They released new images of Smith’s black GMC pickup the day after Lake was last seen with him.
Police say the next sighting after Michener Ave was Ridge road at around 8pm, then at Ultramar on Higgins line. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/7z72Lg7Tx2
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) November 14, 2017
He says Smith picked up Lake at 7:54 p.m. on June 7. The next known sighting of his vehicle was in the east end of St. John’s at 8:30 that same evening. They also place Smith in his vehicle at the Ultramar on Higgins Line on the morning of June 8. He entered the service station wearing green rubber boots, paid for his gas and proceeded eastbound on Higgins Line and headed left onto Portugal Cove Road heading in the direction of the airport.
Inspector Warren says he hopes that today’s news conference will lead people to come forward with new information.
In an emotional public address, Cortney Lake’s mother, Lisa broke down several times as she explained the impact of losing her only daughter has had on her and her family.
She says her son celebrated a birthday without his mommy and says a piece of her family is gone.
Lisa Lake says she doesn’t know how she will celebrate Chris this year without her daughter. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/DpiRFLnsV7
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) November 14, 2017
She says Cortney loved Thanksgiving and Christmas and they will never be able to celebrate those occasions with her “beautiful face” again.
She begged anyone who may have information to help them find Cortney’s body to come forward.
She says she cannot accept that they may never find her.
Lisa Lake mother of Cortney says the last five months have been a living hell. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/td8IxFNoyg
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) November 14, 2017
