MEHAY - family photoSurrey: It has been five years since a 45 year old Surrey family man went missing after leaving his home to attend to his business in the South Cariboo area. On July 14, 2009 Yashpal Mehay was last seen on Staples Office Supply in Chilliwack when he drove alone from Surrey to Clinton on his routine route. Mehay was driving his grey 2004 Mazda MPV with BC at the time.

Yashpal Mehay was reported missing by his family on July 15, 2009 after leaving Surrey the previous day and failing to arrive in Clinton, BC where he operated a Petro Canada gas station with his brother-in-law. Mehay was a religious man, a husband and father. He had no health problems, addiction issues or marital problems. Mehay had no criminal affiliations or criminal record and there is no evidence to suggest that he met with foul play.

Over the following days, weeks and months RCMP in Surrey, with the assistance of Abbotsford Police, Chilliwack RCMP, Hope RCMP, Boston Bar RCMP, Clinton RCMP and RCMP Air Services launched an extensive investigation by land and air in efforts to locate Mehay and his vehicle. The investigation confirmed that the last known place Mehay was seen was at Staples Office Supply in Chilliwack on July 14, 2009. At that time he appeared (on video surveillance) alone and not in any type of distress. An extensive ground search along the route Mehay would normally take to Clinton was also undertaken by family members, all to no avail.

Yashpal Mehay is described as a 45 years old South Asian male, approximately 5’7”, 185 lbs, with short black hair, brown eyes, and a black moustache. He was last known to be wearing a striped green and white long-sleeved American Eagle shirt and khaki pants.

The Mehay family and the police are asking that anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Yashpal Mehay, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to come forward.

Anyone with more information is asked to please contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and reference Surrey RCMP file number 2009-86044. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or go to www.solvecrime.ca.