Missing woman's sister speaks out

The Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service is continuing its search for a Vankleek Hill woman who has been missing since December 23.

According to police, Dana Tkachenko, age 30, who was living in an apartment on Hunter Street East in Peterborough, was last seen on December 23 and reported missing on January 7.

"December 23 is the last time anyone saw her," Dana's sister, Tamara, told The Review during a telephone interview on Wednesday, January 20. "No one has seen or heard from her since and, as you can imagine, we (her family) are very concerned about her."

The young woman still has family living in the area. Family members have said Tkachenko has a history of disappearances, but this is the longest she has gone without making contact with family.

"Dana has done this in the past, but never for this long," Tamara stated. "We're not sure why she took off or where she went. In the past, she has taken off when certain stressors in her life (such as school) become a bit too much. I guess you could say it's like a coping mechanism for her. But, it's not like her to go for so long without contacting us. This is a very odd situation, for sure."

The family told police Tkachenko generally turns up in Toronto or Windsor, but check-ins with places she has previously stayed has turned up nothing so far.

"Right now, we are trying to make contact with people who may have had contact with her prior to her disappearance," Tamara said. "She had been talking to a friend in Victoria, British Columbia, so we've made contact to see if maybe Dana went out there. We don't have any breaks right now. None at all."

When asked if it's possible that Dana is in some kind of trouble, Tamara said not likely. She noted police have not indicated that Dana was in any trouble prior to her disappearance.

"My sister is a very reserved, introverted person," she commented. "She is not a big social butterfly with a big social network. She keeps her interaction with others quite simple."

She has, Tamara said, had a variety of interesting experience throughout her life, including sailing around the world on tall ships several years ago.

Tkachenko - who sometimes goes by the names Anna or Zoe Tkachenko - is described as Caucasian, about 5-feet 7-inches tall, with short dark brown, possibly black hair and green eyes. She has a large tattoo of an Aboriginal bird across her collar bone, just below her neck.

Tamara said it is quite likely that her sister is wearing an oversized military-style parka that is green camouflage in colour and has beige fur around the hood. It is also possible that she is wearing black combat boots, which will also appear too big for her.

"According to people we've talked to, it's quite possible that's what she is wearing," Tamara concluded.

Though this is a very difficult time for Dana's friends and family, Tamara said she is touched by the amount of support and concern people have shown.

"This is so hard for us, not knowing where she is and whether or not she's okay," she said. "But so many people have offered support to us and reached out to us, it's amazing. It feels good to know so many people care about Dana and want to help us find her."

In fact, two Facebook groups have been formed to provide information about Dana - Dana Tkachenko - Missing Person Information and People Praying for Dana Tkachenko's Safe Return.

"There are people on there I don't even know, total strangers, offering prayers and kind word of encouragement," Tamara said. "You don't know how much that means to my family and I."

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough police at 705-876-1122, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).