New evidence has surfaced in the investigation by CBC’s the fifth estate regarding the mysterious disappearance of a man in northern British Columbia. Cole Hosack went missing on New Year’s Eve in 2023 after leaving a bar in Dawson Creek, located 1,200 kilometers north of Vancouver.
This inquiry is part of a CBC podcast called The Mile Zero Murders, which is part of the Uncover series. The podcast results from a two-year investigation into a series of disappearances and killings in the community of Dawson Creek, which has a population of 13,000.
Over the past five years, a total of 15 individuals have either gone missing or been killed, with nine incidents occurring in 2023 alone, including Hosack’s. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have stated their belief that Hosack is deceased.
The podcast’s fifth episode features an interview with an anonymous source who claims to have overheard a conversation where a man confessed to playing a role in Hosack’s disappearance on the night he went missing. The source alleges that the man, identified as Matt Lawton, a 29-year-old local resident with purported ties to the drug trade in Dawson Creek, confessed to being involved in Hosack’s disappearance.
When questioned by the fifth estate, Lawton denied any involvement in Hosack’s disappearance, stating he was unfamiliar with the name Cole Hosack. Lawton has not been charged or convicted in connection with this case.
Hosack, a grieving father, was passing through Dawson Creek on his way to a new job after the tragic loss of his infant son due to a rare heart condition. Hosack’s story gained national attention in 2024, as he was one of four individuals to disappear from the small town that year, all treated as homicides by the RCMP.
Throughout the evening of his disappearance, Hosack was in contact with his fiancée via phone calls. The last known footage shows him hurrying down a dark alley followed by a truck, marking the final sighting of Hosack alive.
The RCMP continue to investigate the case but have not provided further details. Hosack’s fiancée urges Lawton to come forward with any information he may have regarding the disappearance, emphasizing the importance of closure for Hosack’s family, especially his surviving son.
Lawton’s potential involvement, as suggested by the anonymous source, sheds light on the events of that fateful night, with Lawton allegedly admitting to being present during Hosack’s disappearance. The case remains an active investigation, with authorities exploring all possible leads.
The fifth estate’s thorough investigation highlights the complexity of this case and the pursuit of justice for Cole Hosack and his loved ones.
