The Province
Wednesday, July 09, 2003

Evelyn and Bob Dick realize some people in the community don't like the Vancouver police, but they believe the cops are their best chance to find their missing granddaughter.

The Kamloops couple appeared at a police press conference yesterday to plead for anyone with information about 25-year-old Danielle Larue, who vanished in January, to come forward.

"We suspect the worst because she hasn't been heard from," said a distraught Evelyn Dick.

Police suspect foul play in the disappearance of Larue, who was involved in drugs and prostitution on the city's infamous Downtown Eastside. She is not on the list of women missing from the Downtown Eastside.

Police are asking a phone tipster who called about the disappearance to call back.

Larue grew up in Kamloops, running away from home at age 14. She got into drugs and prostitution in Prince George and, after her mother died of cancer in 1995, she drifted to Vancouver.

She sought treatment a number of times and spent time in jail, but she always returned to the streets.

"It's a side of life we don't know much about," admitted Dick.

Larue is native, five-foot-seven, 125 pounds with long black hair, brown eyes and tattoos on her forearm and chest. Call CrimeStoppers if you can help.

kfraser@png.canwest.com