When Steven Scouller read an online account about the disappearance of Madison Scott, he knew he could put his skills as a filmmaker to use in helping to solve a mystery that has baffled investigators for nearly three years.
In May, he packed his bags and flew halfway around the world from his home in Scotland and began collecting images and interviews with the aim of "producing a film that could act as a central repository of accurate information relating to the case."
The result, released last week, is an hour-long step-by-step account of the events that led up to Scott's disappearance and the frustrating aftermath as she remains missing.
Scott was last seen during the early morning hours of May 28, 2011 at Hogsback Lake, 25 kilometres southeast of Vanderhoof.
When the popular 20-year-old failed to return home later that day, a massive search was launched but to no avail and despite a concerted effort to keep her name and face in the public's eye ever since, Scott has not yet been found.
"It's vital to the police inquiry that all facts are accurate and told exactly as they had happened, so in order to do that I wanted to have the people at the centre of the case who are Madison's family and friends to tell their stories and give first hand account of their experiences and actions," Scouller said.
It also includes interviews with Scott's parents, as well as friends, searchers and police and with Scott's friend, Jordanne Bolduc, who had gone to Hogsback Lake with her but left early after the party of about 50 people turned rowdy when some interlopers showed up.
The last confirmed sighting of Scott was at about 3 a.m. Her truck and tent were found abandoned later the same day.
As well as working behind the camera, Scouller is the staff documentarian for Police Scotland and writes true-crime books. The documentary won the family's seal of approval when it was posted on the findmaddy.ca website.
In the first week it was online, the documentary, The Vanishing of Madison Scott, drew 35,000 hits according to Scouller.
"That's a phenomenal statistic and I hope every day that more and more people watch the film," Scouller said.
He also hopes it will prompt someone to step forward.
"Somebody out there knows something of significant importance and they need to come forward now, even if they wish to remain anonymous, that's fine," Scouller said. "Please just give us the information we need."
