‘I really, really want my Mom back’

The most poignant aspect of this morning’s press conference on the 1993 disappearance of Sherri McLaughlin was the courage of the family, who attended to join RCMP in their plea for closure.

The 20-year-old Sherri disappeared in September 1993 while bicycling to a friend’s house in Brocklehurst. Police believe she was purposely side-swiped and dragged into a car. As they said today, they also believe they know who the man was — a sex offender who has been in custody for the past 10 years.

They’ve pieced together pretty conclusive evidence based on paint chips and other clues, but Crown does not believe there’s a likelihood of conviction.

Sherri’s son Stephen, who was only one at the time his mother disappeared, took the microphone briefly to say, “I really, really want my mom back. I never got to know her.” He begged the suspect to “tell somebody” about the crime.

Police spokesmen said they believe the man “has a conscience,” but so far he has refused to acknowledge any involvement.

More on our Daily News website, and in tomorrow’s edition.