Merritt RCMP are hoping to solve a missing persons case that is now four decades old.

April 6, 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the disappearance of Merritt man George Longpre, who police say had been involved in the “criminal underworld” when he went missing in 1977.

The then 35-year-old Craigmont mine employee was last seen at about 7:30 p.m. the night of April 6, 1977. His vehicle — a white 1976 Corvette with the B.C. license plate WMB 184 — was found abandoned on Lindley Creek Road across from the rodeo grounds.

He has not been seen or heard from since.

“It’s a long time,” said RCMP Const. Ryan Dell with the Merritt RCMP’s general investigation section (GIS). “It’s a file that we’re just closing any loose ends on,” Dell said of the cold case he reopened and has been investigating for the past few months.

“It’s one of the most interesting files I’ve read in my entire career,” he said.

George Longpre, again at an unknown age. (Photo courtesy of the Merritt RCMP).

“This is just a shot in the dark. Hopefully somebody says ‘You know what I didn’t tell the police that back in 1977 and I should have,’” said Dell of the investigation.

“[Longpre] was fairly notorious at the time, so people that knew him back then will remember his name as soon as they hear it,” said Dell, adding that the man doesn’t have any family currently living in the Merritt area.

The Herald of the day described Longpre as a Caucasian male, standing five-foot nine inches tall with hazel eyes and a bushy black beard weighing 230 pounds.

The white Stingray Corvette George Longpre was driving the night he went missing. (Photo submitted by RCMP)

“When seen last, Mr. Longpre was wearing a black hat, and a black leather jacket — emblazoned with a Harley-Davidson insignia,” stated an article in the April 13, 1977 edition of the newspaper.

Dell said “nothing untoward” was found inside his vehicle when it was found abandoned.

At the time of his disappearance foul play was — and still is — suspected to have played a role.

Dell believes Longpre, who would be 75 years old today, met an untimely demise.

“He didn’t intentionally go missing on his own,” said Dell.

“Maybe we’ll figure out where this person went, or who might be responsible for his disappearance,” he said.

Dell’s investigation, however, is nearing an end.

“I’ve run down all potential loose ends that I could think of,” Dell said. “I re-interviewed a couple people hoping new information would come forward,” he told the Herald last month, adding that nothing new came about.

A radio report on the RCMP’s investigation since then, however, resulted in a few new leads, Dell told the Herald, adding that time will tell if that turns into anything concrete.

The Merritt GIS team is still looking for more information regarding Longpre’s disappearance.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding George Longpre’s disappearance contact the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4241 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to leave an anonymous tip.