Father moves into van to search Western Canada for missing daughter

VANCOUVER (CityNews) — A Vancouver father desperate to find his missing daughter has been living in his van and driving around Western Canada for the past three months trying to find her.

Chelsea Poorman was 24 when she was last seen in Vancouver on Sept. 6, 2020. She left an apartment at Granville and Davie streets around midnight, and hasn’t been seen since. Poorman had just moved to the city from Saskatoon to be with her sister. She’s described as having round cheeks, friendly brown eyes, and a noticeable limp.

Her dad, Michael Kiernan, says he couldn’t sit back and wait for her to be found any longer. So, for the past three months, he’s driven from Saskatchewan to Alberta, and back to B.C. handing out flyers and asking people if they’ve seen Poorman.

“We love her so much and she is so missed,” he says.

“I would be going crazy anywhere else. I know I just can’t focus on anything else but this. If I watched the police knocking on every single door, I’d probably be like, ‘Hey, Did you leave a flyer? Did you leave a post-it note? I don’t know if it would ever be enough.”

"I'm not stopping until she's found."
This father has moved into his van and driven across Canada trying to find his missing daughter. Chelsea Poorman was last seen in #Vancouver on September 6.
This story tonight on @CityNewsVAN. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/JgCxbPpz4y

— Ashley Burr (@AshleyBurr_) April 30, 2021

Insp. Dale Weidmanan with the VPD’s Major Crime Section says the investigation remains “very” active.

“Police have taken numerous investigative steps, including interviewing several people associated with Ms. Poorman, reviewing relevant banking and cell phone records, conducting an extensive video canvas, and collaborating with Saskatoon Police,” he writes in a statement.

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Kiernan says he keeps visiting the same places in Vanocuver, trying to convince businesses to post the flyers he’s made.

“There’s a lot of places that don’t even put up posters. That’s so so discouraging,” he says, adding he hopes people will do what they can to help find his daughter.

“Please help spread the word. Talk to your neighbours, talk to your coworkers — everybody. Awareness is so key.”

He wants people to understand that his daughter is more than just a face on a poster, that she is loved and missed.

“She’s kind, she’s curious, she’s polite. She does have her issues with addiction and alcohol. But through it all — through everything this kid has been through — she has pulled through time and time again. And she’s got so much strength. She’s just always been a beautiful kid,” he says.

Kiernan has a message for anyone who might know something about his daughter’s whereabouts.

“Please come forward, absolutely please come forward,” he says through tears.

Anyone who does have information can call the VPD at (604) 717-3321. Anonymous tips can be submitted to CrimeStoppers.

Printable posters and more information can be found online.