The family of a Kamloops, B.C., woman who vanished 16 years ago made an emotional plea Thursday for her suspected killer to tell authorities where her body is.

Sherri McLaughlin, 20, was riding her mountain bike to a boyfriend's house in the summer of 1993 when she disappeared. Her damaged bike and backpack were later found.

Police said Thursday that they believe a convicted sex offender currently serving time in an Abbotsford prison was responsible for McLaughlin's disappearance - and her death.

"I know who's responsible, I'm absolutely certain of that," RCMP Sgt. Garry Kerr, the lead investigator, said at a press conference.

Authorities declined to identify the man, but CTV News has learned that the suspect is Daniel Robert Dow. In 1999, he was declared a dangerous offender for attacks on women in Prince George and Campbell River.

Investigators said they linked paint chips and scrapes on the suspect's car to McLaughlin's bike. They also connected the outline of an old adhesive sticker on the car's bumper to a plastic deer whistle found at the scene.

They believe the bike was hit while it was in an upright position and then run over.

Despite the physical evidence, authorities said they don't have enough to file a charge. While they can place the suspect's car at the scene, they are unable to link the suspect to the car.

Authorities said the suspect has refused to cooperate with their investigation.

Kerr made a direct appeal to him.

"You have taken Sherri from her family, but if there is any grain of humanity in you, and I believe there is, do the right thing and give her back to her family. Tell us where she is so she can be brought home."

Choking back tears, McLaughlin's family appealed to the suspect to bring them closure.

"I want to ask or beg for the final piece of information. We need to just know where Sherri is," her brother, James McLaughlin, said.

He has written the suspect several times asking him to come forward with information.

McLaughlin's son, Stephen, who was just a year old at the time she disappeared, told reporters he wanted his mom back.

"I never got to know her," he said. "I don't even know the sound of her voice."

The family has offered a $12,000 reward for any information or evidence about McLaughlin's whereabouts. Anyone with information about the case should call Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or Kamloops Crime Stoppers at 250-374-TIPS.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat