Watchdog investigating after missing youth found dead in Smithers, B.C.

Advertisement

Advertise with us

SURREY - British Columbia's civilian police watchdog agency is investigating after a girl was found dead on a park trail in Smithers, B.C., a day after she was reported missing.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

SURREY – British Columbia’s civilian police watchdog agency is investigating after a girl was found dead on a park trail in Smithers, B.C., a day after she was reported missing.

The Independent Investigations Office says the case happened in December, when staff at a residence reported that the youth living there had gone missing.

Investigators say she last made contact by phone at around 9 p.m. on Dec. 26, and her body was found on a walking trail in Riverside Park shortly after 10 a.m. the next day.

New Brunswick's police oversight agency has laid seven more charges against a formerRCMP officer who was charged in June 2024 with arranging a sex crime against a minor under 16. An RCMP epaulette is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
New Brunswick's police oversight agency has laid seven more charges against a formerRCMP officer who was charged in June 2024 with arranging a sex crime against a minor under 16. An RCMP epaulette is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

The IIO says the girl was last reported wearing a white puffy jacket and blue jeans at the time she went missing, but her body was found dressed in grey pajama pants with a black shirt and sweater when discovered.

RCMP in Smithers originally reported the case as a sudden death and said there was no increased risk to public safety, but no other details were released.

The watchdog agency says it is now seeking witnesses with information or video footage relating to the case to come forward, and it is trying to determine if police action had any connection to the death.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Canada

LOAD MORE