New evidence, potentially including a confession, has emerged during an investigation by CBC’s the fifth estate into 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 investigation is part of a CBC podcast called The Mile Zero Murders, which is part of CBC’s Uncover series. The podcast delves into a series of disappearances and killings in the small community with a population of 13,000.
Over the past five years, fifteen individuals have gone missing or been killed, with nine of those incidents occurring in 2023 alone, including Hosack. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have stated their belief that Hosack is no longer alive.
In episode 5 of the podcast, a confidential source reveals details of a conversation they overheard in which a man confessed to having a role in Hosack’s disappearance on the night he went missing. The source expressed concerns for their safety, leading to their identity protection.
The individual implicated in the potential confession is Matt Lawton, a 29-year-old local resident reportedly linked to the drug trade in Dawson Creek. Lawton is alleged to have mentioned picking up Hosack, claiming he owed them money for drugs.
When questioned by the fifth estate, Lawton denied any involvement in Hosack’s disappearance, stating he was unfamiliar with the name Cole Hosack and professing ignorance about the incident.
Hosack’s story gained national attention in 2024 when he became the fourth person to vanish from the town that year. All four cases, including five other killings that year, are being treated as homicides by the RCMP.
Hosack, a grieving father passing through Dawson Creek on his way to a new job, had recently experienced the loss of an infant son due to a rare heart condition. His partner, Morgan Crawford, described their profound grief and the hope for a fresh start with the new job opportunity in Alberta.
The last known contact from Hosack was a call shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Security camera footage captured him hurrying down a dark alley, followed by a truck, marking the final sighting of him.
Despite the new information surrounding a potential confession, the RCMP remains tight-lipped, confirming that the case is under active investigation. Hosack’s fiancée, Crawford, emphasized the need for Lawton to come forward and provide information to bring closure to the case and provide answers for their son.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits further developments to unravel the mystery behind Hosack’s disappearance.
