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Paula Bali’s daughter Mekayla went missing from Yorkton in April 2016.
“There’s never a break. I literally spend eight to 12 hours every single day working on Mekayla’s case,” Bali said in 2018.
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The family is still waiting for answers. Today marks 10 years since 16-year-old Mekayla was last seen at the Yorkton bus depot on 1st Avenue North, but she did not board a bus that day.
There have been several reports of possible sightings since then — including one in Edmonton in the summer of 2019 — but none panned out.
Officers with the RCMP’s Historical Case Unit, part of the Major Crimes Branch, continue to investigate Mekayla’s disappearance and follow up on all tips and information received about her whereabouts.
Since she was reported missing, more than 1,000 tips about Mekayla’s disappearance have been received and investigated by Saskatchewan RCMP, and police say that tips from the public — no matter how small — remain a key component of this investigation.
“Ten years have passed since Mekayla was reported missing. Someone who may not have wanted to speak at the time might feel ready to do so now. It’s never too late to come forward. Information from the public can still make a difference,” says Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, senior investigative officer with major crimes.
“Even details that may have seemed insignificant 10 years ago could help investigators piece together vital information and provide answers to Mekayla’s family and loved ones, who continue to seek closure.”
Mekayla’s mother Paula Bali, pictured in 2024, with photographs of some of the 140 people who were missing in Saskatchewan for six months or more. (Roman Hayter/650 CKOM)
Mekayla’s family said in a statement that for 10 years, their lives have been on hold.
“Mekayla’s mom and siblings deserve to have answers, not just questions. For the sake of our family’s healing, we ask anyone with even the smallest piece of information to contact the RCMP.
“If you know anything at all, please find the courage to come forward. It is never too late to do the right thing. Mekayla Bali is loved beyond measure and missed beyond words.”
Two semis featuring Mekayla Bali’s likeness in Blaine, Wash. in 2022. (Saskatchewan RCMP/Submitted)
The program involved the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit putting age-advanced photos of missing children on semi-trailers that travel across North America in hopes of generating leads.
This timeline supplied by Saskatchewan RCMP shows Mekayla’s last known movements the day she disappeared:
8:20 a.m.: Arrives at Sacred Heart High School.
8:30 a.m.: Leaves the school.
Between 8:30 a.m. and 8:40 a.m.: Walks east on Smith Street West from the intersection of Smith Street West and Gladstone Avenue North.
Between 8:40 a.m. and 8:50 a.m.: Enters a business on 3rd Avenue North.
Between 8:50 a.m. and 8:55 a.m.: Enters a financial institution on Broadway Street East.
Between 8:55 a.m. and 9 a.m.: Walks east on Broadway Street East.
9 a.m.: Enters a business on Broadway Street East.
9:15 a.m.: Exists business and walks north on 8th Avenue North.
9:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.: Walks west on 100 to 200 block of Broadway Street East, then walks north on 6th Avenue North
9:40 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.: Walks east in the parking lot of the 100-200 block of Broadway Street East between two businesses.
9:50 a.m. to 9:55 a.m.: Re-enters business on Broadway Street East.
10:40 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: Leaves business and walks west on Broadway Street East. She continues on Broadway, passing 5th Avenue North.
10:45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m.: Whereabouts unknown.
11:55 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Enters Sacred Heart High School.
12 p.m. to 12:05 p.m.: Leaves Sacred Heart High School.
12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Buys a poutine at a restaurant on 1st Avenue North.
1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Leaves Yorkton bus depot on 1st Avenue North. She did not board a bus.
Mekayla had no passport and there has been banking activity since April 12, 2016.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Saskatchewan RCMP at 310-RCMP, their local police service or to inform Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at saskcrimestoppers.com.
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