The small prairie city of Yorkton, Saskatchewan has been transformed by a cloud of unanswered questions and heartbreak—a family’s worst nightmare unfolding since April 12, 2016, when 16-year‑old Mekayla Bali vanished without a trace.

📍 The Last Known Moments

On that fateful morning, Mekayla was last seen between 1:00 and 1:45 p.m. at the STC bus depot, following a routine day. She had withdrawn just $55 from her bank account after attempting—and failing—to pawn a ring, and was reportedly trying to find a way to Regina via bus. Anxious texts to a friend pleading, “Hey, I need help”, were followed minutes later by an even more cryptic, “Nevermind I figured it out”—her final known messages.

Surveillance cameras captured Mekayla repeatedly entering and exiting a local combo restaurant, and footage from the depot confirmed her presence—but after midday, she simply disappeared .

🧩 Police and Public Response

The RCMP immediately launched a massive search, employing aerial grids, drones, and extensive canvassing by mid‑2016 . As time passed, a provincial Child Search Alert was issued across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. The case was later transferred to the RCMP’s Historical Case Unit, and in 2017 an anonymous donor increased the reward to $100,000 CAD—a bid to reignite leads.

Despite reported sightings across Canada and even the United States, none have been confirmed. Investigators have consistently stated they continue to prioritize hundreds of tips but remain haunted by Mekayla’s vanishing act .

❤️ A Mother’s Plea and Community’s Vigil

Year after year, Mekayla’s mother, Paula Bali, has transformed grief into action—organizing annual vigils and renewing the family’s public appeal. At the eighth and ninth anniversaries, the community gathered in solemn remembrance, echoing Paula’s heartfelt words:

“Silence now echoes where her footsteps should have been… This isn’t an end, but a vow to keep searching.”

🔍 Theories That Haunt the Case

Speculation abounds: Did Mekayla run away, possibly overwhelmed by teenage pressures? Did she fall victim to trafficking or an online predator? Or is this a case of abduction by a stranger?

Detective insights highlight puzzling clues: the “help” text, her failed pawn attempt, and the surprising attempt to board a bus she never boarded. These suggest no intent to vanish—rather, desperate attempts to reach out.

⏳ What Lies Ahead?

Reward fund: Still at $100,000 CAD, actively promoted on social media and unique campaigns like semi‑truck wraps driving across North America.

RCMP involvement: Balance between overwhelming case backlogs and this family’s enduring pleas—calls are ongoing for a dedicated task force.

Family activism: Fueled by community support, Paula Bali and volunteers keep Mekayla’s story alive online, through podcasts, news features, and vigils.

🧭 Why Mekayla Bali’s Story Still Matters

This case isn’t just a statistic—it’s a young life cut short, a family living in limbo, and a community refusing to forget. As nine years pass, the urgency remains: the silence hangs like a void waiting for an answer, and only one thing can fill it—finding Mekayla Bali.

If you have ANY information, no matter how small, please contact your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Every detail, every memory, could bring her home.