What happened to Makayla Chang? Family pleads for information on her death

Birthday memorial for Nanaimo teen Makayla Chang would have turned 18 on March 1.

Friends and family gathered to mark what would've been a Nanaimo teen's milestone birthday; instead, it was a day of remembrance.

Makayla Chang would've turned 18 on March 1.

Her family wants to raise awareness on her birthday and give her a voice to remind Nanaimo RCMP that the case must not be forgotten.

"We're approaching the two-year mark now, which seems to be a significant amount of time. My biggest fear is this will end up being a cold case," said Kerry Chang, Makayla's father.

Makayla vanished from downtown Nanaimo in March 2017, prompting an extensive search.

Her body was discovered about two months later, but where she was found and how she died is still a mystery.

"Until the police release information or some type of report, we just don't really know. It's been a struggle, it really has. Not knowing where she was found, how she died, it is very bothersome," he said.

The family is asking anyone with information to help bring this case to a close to come forward.

"It's time to get some justice and closure for Makayla and for my family. Until we get some answers, it is hard for that to happen."

Makayla's friends have been working on a permanent memorial for her.

A mural will be unveiled later this month.

With files from CTV Vancouver Island