The disappearance of Jodi Henrickson in June 2009 is one of British Columbia's most perplexing cold cases. At just 17 years old, Jodi was described as a vivacious and caring teenager, deeply loved by her family and friends in Squamish, B.C. Her sudden disappearance after a night out on Bowen Island shocked the small community and raised troubling questions that remain unanswered to this day.
On the night of June 19, Jodi had told her family she planned to go camping at Cultus Lake, a popular recreational destination. Instead, she made her way to Bowen Island, a tranquil yet isolated area accessible only by ferry, to attend a house party with friends. The events of that night, coupled with Jodi’s mysterious disappearance in the early morning hours of June 20, have haunted her loved ones for over 15 years.
Despite immediate efforts from law enforcement and community members, no trace of Jodi has ever been found. The case has remained cold, but it has not been forgotten. Renewed attention in 2024, due to an upcoming Jodi Henrickson documentary titled "Finding Jodi", has brought fresh hope.
What Is The Jodi Henrickson Documentary About?
In 2024, after 15 years of limited progress, the disappearance of Jodi Henrickson gained renewed public attention due to the efforts of a documentary team. Led by producer Jenni Baynham, the production of “Finding Jodi” aimed to reexamine the events surrounding Jodi’s disappearance and uncover new information. The documentary not only reignited media coverage but also led to the discovery of potential evidence, giving new momentum to the cold case.
The “Finding Jodi” team spent four years conducting independent investigations, interviewing witnesses, experts, and those connected to Jodi’s life.
Their efforts included revisiting Bowen Island, the last place Jodi was seen, and collaborating with forensic experts to explore avenues previously overlooked by law enforcement.
The filmmakers also sought to shine a light on the community’s ongoing grief and the investigative gaps that may have hindered earlier efforts.
In this image sent by the documentary crew, a cameraperson films near a police line on Bowen Island. (Submitted by Jenni Baynham to CBC)
Cadaver Dogs and Potential Evidence
One of the most significant developments came during a search on Bowen Island in November 2024. The production team partnered with the Canadian Cadaver Canines Association (CCCA) to investigate a tip they had received.
During the search, two trained cadaver dogs independently alerted to the same location, indicating an area of interest.
Following protocol, the documentary crew contacted the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) to report their findings.
IHIT’s Response
Upon receiving the report, IHIT investigators conducted a preliminary inspection of the identified site.
While no human remains were immediately discovered, IHIT confirmed that the location warranted further examination.
The potential evidence has not been publicly disclosed, but investigators stated their intent to follow up with additional forensic resources.
The Suspect: Interview with Gavin Arnott
As part of their investigative process, the documentary crew secured an interview with Gavin Arnott, Jodi’s ex-boyfriend and the last known person to be seen with her. Scheduled for March 2025, this interview is considered a pivotal opportunity to gain insights into the final hours of Jodi’s life.
The filmmakers stressed the importance of hearing from Gavin directly, given his central role in the timeline of Jodi’s disappearance.
Arnott, who has maintained his innocence, has remained a person of interest but has never been formally charged.
Timeline of Events: Jodi Henrickson’s Disappearance
June 19, 2009 (Evening)
Jodi tells her family she plans to camp at Cultus Lake but instead travels to Bowen Island to attend parties with friends.
Late Night, June 19, 2009
Jodi arrives at a house party on Harding Road on Bowen Island.
She is seen socializing and later moves to a second party at Leroyville, about 8 kilometers away.
Throughout the night, Jodi travels back and forth between the two parties.
Early Morning, June 20, 2009
Jodi encounters her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, at one of the parties.
Around 4:00 a.m., Jodi is last seen walking hand-in-hand with Gavin along a road near the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal.
Approximately 6:30 a.m., June 20, 2009
Witnesses report seeing Jodi and Gavin near the Miller’s Landing turnoff on Bowen Island.
This is the last confirmed sighting of Jodi.
Morning, June 20, 2009
Jodi fails to contact her family or friends. Concern begins to grow as she does not return home or board the ferry.
June 21, 2009 (Following Day)
Jodi is officially reported missing.
Search-and-rescue teams begin combing Bowen Island’s dense forests, cliffs, and shorelines but find no sign of her.
Months Following Her Disappearance (2009)
The RCMP investigates and questions witnesses, including Gavin Arnott, who is identified as a person of interest but not charged.
No significant leads or evidence emerge, and the case remains unsolved.
2010
The case is handed over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), marking it as a suspected homicide.
2024
A documentary crew working on “Finding Jodi” discovers potential evidence on Bowen Island with the help of cadaver dogs, prompting IHIT to re-examine the case.
The Disappearance of Jodi Henrickson
On the evening of June 19, 2009, 17-year-old Jodi Henrickson left her home in Squamish, British Columbia, telling her family she planned to camp at Cultus Lake. Instead, she traveled to Bowen Island, a popular but remote destination in Howe Sound, to attend a party with friends.
This decision would mark the beginning of an enduring mystery that has puzzled investigators and devastated her family for over a decade.
Jodi arrived on Bowen Island and joined two separate gatherings over the course of the night.
The first was at a residence on Harding Road, a well-known spot for young people to party. She later moved to another event at a location referred to as Leroyville, approximately eight kilometers away. Witnesses reported that Jodi was seen moving between these two parties multiple times during the night.
At some point during the evening, Jodi encountered her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, who was also attending the parties. Gavin and Jodi had a complicated history, and their relationship had been tumultuous in the months leading up to her disappearance.
Around 4:00 a.m. on June 20, the pair was last seen walking hand-in-hand down a dark road near the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal, a common access point for leaving Bowen Island. Witnesses reported spotting them close to Miller’s Landing, but by sunrise, Jodi was gone.
Despite being a small community, Bowen Island's rugged terrain posed significant challenges for the initial search efforts. Dense forests, steep cliffs, and an expansive shoreline made it difficult for search-and-rescue teams to thoroughly comb the area.
Jodi’s family, friends, and local volunteers worked tirelessly in the days following her disappearance, but no physical evidence of her whereabouts was found.
Adding to the mystery, Jodi's ex-boyfriend Gavin Arnott, who had been charged with assaulting her the previous year, became a person of interest in the case.
Although investigators questioned him extensively, no charges were ever laid, and Arnott denied any involvement in her disappearance. This aspect of the case has remained a focal point for speculation and continues to draw public scrutiny.
Jodi’s disappearance struck a nerve within the close-knit communities of Squamish and Bowen Island, prompting widespread media coverage and public appeals. However, as days turned into weeks and months, the trail grew cold. The RCMP officially handed the case over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in 2010, signifying the belief that foul play was likely involved.
The timeline of Jodi’s last movements, coupled with the lack of physical evidence, continues to be one of the most perplexing elements of this case. Investigators and the community alike are left to grapple with numerous unanswered questions: What happened to Jodi after she was last seen with Gavin Arnott?
Initial Investigation and Challenges
The investigation into Jodi Henrickson’s disappearance began immediately after she was reported missing on June 21, 2009. The early efforts to locate Jodi involved extensive search-and-rescue operations, community mobilization, and media coverage. However, the initial phase of the investigation faced significant challenges that ultimately hindered progress.
The Initial Search
Local authorities, including the RCMP, coordinated large-scale searches on Bowen Island, focusing on the areas near Snug Cove, Miller’s Landing, and the party sites at Harding Road and Leroyville. These locations were central to her last known movements.
Volunteers from the community and professional search teams combed through dense forests, rocky cliffs, and isolated shorelines, all of which posed logistical difficulties. The rugged terrain made it challenging to thoroughly cover all possible areas where Jodi might have been.
Investigative Challenges
Lack of Physical Evidence
Despite the comprehensive search efforts, no significant physical evidence, such as clothing, personal belongings, or any signs of a struggle, was found.
Investigators later speculated that the geography of Bowen Island might have contributed to the lack of evidence, with steep cliffs and water potentially concealing crucial clues.
Witness Inconsistencies
Accounts from partygoers about Jodi’s interactions and movements were inconsistent. While some witnesses confirmed seeing her with Gavin Arnott, others were unable to provide clear details about her state or intentions.
The transient nature of the parties, with guests moving between locations, created gaps in the timeline, further complicating the investigation.
Delay in Classifying the Case
Initially, Jodi’s case was treated as a missing person incident rather than a potential crime. This delay may have resulted in missed opportunities for collecting forensic evidence or identifying early leads.
By the time the case was escalated to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in 2010, key witnesses had dispersed, and memories had faded.
Complicated Relationship with Gavin Arnott
Investigators focused on Jodi’s last known companion, Gavin Arnott, who had been charged with assaulting her the previous year.
While Arnott cooperated with questioning, he was identified as a person of interest but not a suspect. His involvement in Jodi’s final hours has remained a focal point of speculation and public interest.
Bowen Island: The Last Known Location
Bowen Island, a picturesque and relatively remote destination off the coast of British Columbia, became the focal point of the investigation into Jodi Henrickson’s disappearance.
Its serene reputation contrasts starkly with the events of June 19-20, 2009, when Jodi was last seen. Understanding the geographical and social context of Bowen Island sheds light on the challenges faced by search teams and investigators.
The Island’s Geography
Bowen Island is accessible only by ferry, primarily through the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal, which connects to the mainland. This limited access makes it relatively secluded, a feature that contributed to the complexity of search-and-rescue efforts.
The island is known for its rugged terrain, featuring dense forests, steep cliffs, and rocky shorelines. While these natural features attract hikers and tourists, they also make thorough searches incredibly challenging.
With a small population of around 3,600 residents in 2009, the community was tight-knit, meaning that Jodi’s disappearance quickly became a widely discussed and deeply felt event.
Key Locations in Jodi’s Timeline
Harding Road
The first party Jodi attended on the night of her disappearance took place at a residence on Harding Road. This location was a known gathering spot for local youth. Witnesses reported Jodi interacting with friends and moving between groups.
Leroyville
Jodi later attended another party at Leroyville, about 8 kilometers away from Harding Road. This distance required her to walk along unlit, forested roads, adding an element of danger to her movements.
Miller’s Landing
The last confirmed sighting of Jodi occurred around 6:30 a.m. on June 20, 2009, near Miller’s Landing. She was seen walking hand-in-hand with her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, toward the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal.
This sighting is critical to the timeline, as it establishes her movements leading up to her disappearance. However, what happened after this point remains a mystery.
The Challenges of Searching Bowen Island
The initial search efforts, led by the RCMP and local volunteers, were hampered by the island’s difficult terrain.
Search teams had to navigate through thick underbrush and steep slopes, with some areas deemed too dangerous to access fully.
The proximity of the shoreline raised the possibility that Jodi could have accidentally fallen into the water, but no evidence supporting this theory was ever found.
Speculations About the Island’s Role
Some have speculated that the island’s isolation could have made it easier for someone to cover their tracks. The lack of surveillance cameras and the sparsely populated areas around the party locations created significant challenges for investigators.
Others have questioned whether Jodi’s disappearance involved foul play or an accident caused by the island’s natural hazards. The steep cliffs near Miller’s Landing and the surrounding areas are known for being treacherous, particularly in low-light conditions.
The Investigation Goes Cold
By late 2009, the investigation had stalled due to a lack of evidence and viable leads. Authorities expressed frustration at the absence of physical or circumstantial evidence tying anyone to Jodi’s disappearance.
The case was officially handed over to IHIT in 2010, with investigators publicly stating their belief that foul play was involved.
Despite these challenges, the case was never officially closed. IHIT emphasized its ongoing commitment to finding out what happened to Jodi, but with no new leads, it remained classified as a cold case for over a decade—until renewed interest emerged in 2024.
Final Thoughts
The case of Jodi Henrickson’s disappearance remains one of British Columbia’s most enduring mysteries, highlighting both the resilience of a community unwilling to forget and the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving cold cases.
Over 15 years after her last known sighting on Bowen Island, her story continues to evoke heartbreak, curiosity, and a deep yearning for answers.
The renewed attention brought by the documentary “Finding Jodi” has not only re-energized the search for truth but has also underscored the vital role of public awareness in such cases.
From the cadaver dogs’ discovery of a potential lead to the scheduled interview with Jodi’s ex-boyfriend Gavin Arnott, there are glimmers of hope that the questions surrounding her disappearance may finally be answered. The collaboration between filmmakers, forensic experts, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) represents a powerful example of how multidisciplinary efforts can breathe new life into stalled investigations.
For Jodi’s family and the communities of Squamish and Bowen Island, the wait for closure has been agonizing. Their continued advocacy ensures that Jodi’s memory remains alive, and their unwavering determination serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking justice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
As the documentary nears its release in 2025, the hope is that it will inspire individuals with knowledge about Jodi’s disappearance to come forward. Every detail, no matter how small, could be the key to unlocking this case. For now, Jodi’s story stands as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of those who fight for truth.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jodi Henrickson, please contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Together, there is still a chance to bring closure to this heartbreaking mystery.
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