We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Shtuka a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project has been writing and publishing my book, Missing from Me. It is a non-fiction account of my son’s disappearance in the ski village of Sun Peaks, B.C. on February 17, 2018. What started as a daily post on social media to keep people informed turned into a sharing of stories about my son and about our experiences of living in Sun Peaks and searching for Ryan every day. His Facebook page grew and today five and half years later almost 55,000 people have joined.

Missing from Me takes those posts and invites the reader to experience my grief in almost real-time. It gives insights into how I went from this ordinary mother to a search and rescue coordinator to co-founding a non-profit and advocating for missing people.

It is one of the most singularly profound experiences that I have ever experienced.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Heather Shtuka, and I want to share a journey that has reshaped my life and led me to a purpose greater than I could have ever imagined.
For many years, I lived a life filled with ordinary yet beautiful moments as a daughter, wife, friend, and mother of three wonderful children. My days were woven with the threads of school, sports, friendships, and the myriad of experiences that come with raising a family. My life was, in essence, a patchwork quilt of joy, challenges, and growth—a perfectly imperfect life that I had crafted for myself.
However, on February 17, 2018, my world took an unexpected turn. I received the devastating notification that my first-born and only son, Ryan, was missing from Sun Peaks, B.C. The life I had known was suddenly shattered, and I found myself thrust into a situation that no parent should ever have to face.
Fueled by my background as a Guest Service Manager with a major airline, I tapped into my expertise in training and leadership to establish a command center. This center would coordinate the efforts of thousands of volunteers in the search for my son. Leveraging social media platforms, I expanded awareness for Ryan, reaching over 55,000 individuals who became a crucial part of the search.
In the aftermath of Ryan’s disappearance, my grief transformed into a fierce advocacy for missing persons. I founded a non-profit organization called The Free Bird Project with three remarkable women. Our mission is clear—to provide resources, skills, and unwavering support to families of missing loved ones, empowering them with the tools needed to plan and execute searches.
My journey also led me to pursue a degree in public relations from MacEwan University, and I now use writing as a powerful tool to raise awareness for those still waiting to find their way home.
I am most proud of the community we’ve built through The Free Bird Project—a network of individuals dedicated to supporting one another through the unimaginable. What sets us apart is not just our commitment to the cause but the tangible impact we make in the lives of those affected by the heart-wrenching experience of having a loved one go missing.
Our work goes beyond the surface. We are not just an organization but a lifeline for families in crisis. Whether it’s bringing solace, providing hope, or being a voice for the voiceless, our collective efforts aim to bring solace, hope, and reunite families.
In the depths of my anguish and determination, I channelled my grief into a non-fiction book titled “Missing from Me.” This book recounts the heart-wrenching case of my son Ryan’s disappearance, inviting readers to witness the evolution of my life—from the ordinary roles of daughter, wife, and mother to the unforeseen position of coordinating the search for my son. Released in November of 2022, “Missing from Me” resonated with hearts worldwide, swiftly becoming an Amazon bestseller.
“Missing from Me” is not just a labour of love; it’s a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the power of words to heal and connect. The ability to articulate my most profound heartbreak and sorrow became a therapeutic outlet on this grief journey. In these pages, you will find a story of loss and a celebration of Ryan’s life—a legacy of love and hope that he created in his too short time on this earth.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The driving force behind my creative journey has always been a commitment to sharing my experiences as an ordinary mother navigating the complexities of grief and ambiguous loss. Through the stories I’ve shared, my goal is to create a connection, allowing others to relate to the challenges and joys of our lives. While each grief journey is unique, there are shared emotions that can resonate with others facing similar struggles.

In the aftermath of my son Ryan’s disappearance, I grappled with the inexplicable nature of his absence. While I may never find a reason for his disappearance, it became crucial for me to find a purpose amid the pain and honour his memory. Beyond our time on this earth, my husband and I hope to leave a lasting legacy for Ryan. I want people to know that he existed and that his life mattered profoundly. Our son’s legacy will remain long after we’re gone, a testament to his significance in this world and us

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Navigating the realm of social media in the wake of my son Ryan’s disappearance became both a source of strength and a test of resilience. It created this community of passionate and engaged members who share Ryan’s story, spread awareness, and support us, his family. This outpouring of compassion gave us faith in humanity, where kindness was everything during adversity. It brought about so much positivity but also had a darker side. In the initial six months, my inbox was inundated with messages that detailed horrific scenarios of what might have occurred to my son. These messages, laden with explicit details, were a daily emotional toll that no mother should have to endure. To compound that, a secret Facebook group emerged, dedicated to mocking my grief. And despite my lack of involvement in the police investigation, it was suggested that I was hampering it.
The emotional strain was unforeseeable, but I refused to break through it all. I learned to absorb the cruelty, focusing on my love for my son, my two other children, my husband, and the unwavering support of friends and family. In the face of adversity, I found strength in the positive aspects of social media—the community that rallied behind us, spreading hope and kindness. My resilience became a testament to my profound love for my son and my unyielding belief that he matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heathershtuka.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.shtuka/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2052336918380120
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-shtuka/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HShtuka