An RCMP investigator says police have not called off the search for a missing Squamish teen on Bowen Island.

Cpl. Dave Ritchie said some media reported the RCMP had "called off the search for Jodi (Henrickson) and that's not accurate. That causes a lot of grief and confusion for the family. We are actively and strongly investigating Jodi's disappearance."

Yesterday RCMP and North Shore Rescue teams searched Bowen Island's Scarborough, Eagle Cliff and Grafton Lake areas for the 17-year-old girl who was last seen around dawn on the island June 20.

Henrickson's family reported her missing June 24 and RCMP have focused the investigation on Bowen, believing "she did not leave the island or is still on the island," said Ritchie.

He said although RCMP concluded yesterday's use of search dogs, a helicopter and teams from North Shore, Lions Bay and Coquitlam rescue operations, the investigation is ongoing.

RCMP are "still concentrating on the Bowen Island area ... that doesn't mean we're actively searching every day with search teams," Ritchie said.

He added new evidence could potentially lead to another coordinated effort with the search and rescue agencies used yesterday and June 28.

Earlier this week, Ritchie told The Outlook police knew "there's people on the island with information and we know a lot of them will come forward and tell what they know . . . Being a small community and lots of tight friendships we know they tend to band together at a point."

Henrickson's ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, recently spoke to media about his no-contact order against Henrickson for an assault that happened earlier this spring. The Vancouver Province reported Arnott claimed he was the last person to see Henrickson before she went missing June 20 after she attended two house parties on Bowen Island, and that he denied any connection to her disappearance.

Ritchie said RCMP "interviewed an ex-boyfriend that was convicted of an assault on Jodi (Henrickson). We're not naming anyone at this point ... he has given his own interviews himself."

Ritchie also said that some tips received online, through a Facebook group called "Let's find Jodi Henrickson!" had also helped advance the investigation.

The group currently shows 911 members including friends and family. Most messages reference a poster campaign and support for Henrickson's family.

One member, named only Eleanor, wrote on the group's wall yesterday "There are a lot of rumours going around about Jodi's disappearance, but nothing changes the fact that she's missing."

"We're encouraging anyone with info to call in," Ritchie said, adding that even small "abnormalities" or irregularities could aid in the investigation. He said anonymous tips could be made through Crimestoppers (1-800-222-8477) or the RCMP's tip line for this investigation, 604-947-0516.

Henrickson was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black leather jacket with flat-soled shoes, Ritchie said.

kmcmanus@northshoreoutlook.com