RCMP say they’ve discovered the stays of Madison (Maddy) Scott, 12 years after she went lacking.
Scott was final seen on Might 28, 2011, whereas celebrating a pal’s birthday at a campsite at Hogsback Lake, about 25 kilometres southeast of her hometown of Vanderhoof, B.C.
She was 20 on the time.
Police say the identification of the stays have been confirmed by the B.C. Coroners Service and RCMP are presently executing a warrant at a rural property on the east aspect of Vanderhoof, round 80 kilometres west of Prince George.
“The world has been secured, and extra sources are anticipated to be on scene for so long as could also be required,” mentioned Cpl. Madonna Saunderson in an announcement.
Scott’s household was notified on Sunday, and police say they’re asking for privateness. Saunderson mentioned Scott’s physique was discovered “days in the past” however didn’t specify precisely when it was discovered.
Neither did Saunderson say whether or not the knowledge resulting in Scott’s discovery got here from new info offered by the general public.
She mentioned the opportunity of foul play has nonetheless not been dominated out, however no arrests have been made.
“This has been a precedence investigation for the RCMP over the previous 12 years,” she mentioned within the assertion.
“The invention of Maddy is a big improvement [but] this investigation stays an lively and ongoing lacking particular person’s investigation.”
Saunderson mentioned she wasn’t conscious of any hazard to the general public associated to the invention of Scott’s stays.
Excessive-profile case
Scott’s disappearance maintained a excessive profile, with billboards and posters asking for tips on her disappearance nonetheless a typical sight in Vanderhoof and neighbouring communities, together with Prince George.
Her household has provided a $100,000 award for info leading to arrests associated to her disappearance, and her story has been the topic of a number of investigative media reviews in Canada and internationally.
The final recognized sighting of her was round 3 a.m. PT on Might 28, 2011.
She disappeared together with her iPhone and the keys to her pickup truck, leaving her tent and the automobile behind.
Household and police mentioned it was uncommon for her to not be in contact, main investigators to consider foul play was concerned.
In depth floor, air and water searches had been carried out to no avail, and household and mates have saved the hope of her discovery alive via a Fb web page and an annual search of the world the place she was final seen.
RCMP say the stays of Madison Scott have been discovered greater than a decade after she mysteriously went lacking from a celebration close to Vanderhoof, B.C. Gerry Thiessen was mayor on the time.
In a video assertion launched in 2021, her mom described her as “fantastic, messy, inventive, loving,” whereas a hockey teammate remembered her as a pictures fanatic.
In its assertion Sunday, on the twelfth anniversary of Scott’s disappearance, the RCMP mentioned Scott beloved to immerse herself in household, mates and sports activities.
“This yr, Madison could be 32 years previous. She would possible be immersed in her profession and will even have gotten married and had kids.”
Saunderson mentioned RCMP are nonetheless in search of any extra details about the case.
“You by no means know what small piece and even huge piece will crack open the case,” she mentioned. “Every bit of the investigation will assist us reply a query the household could have.”
She says anybody with info is inspired to name the police’s tip line is 778-290-5291 or 877-543-4822.
‘Everyone knew Madison’: mayor
Gerry Thiessen, the mayor of Vanderhoof from 2008 to 2022, describes Scott as a “vibrant half” of the central B.C. district municipality of greater than 4,346 folks and says, at first, everybody hoped she’d be discovered alive.
“Twelve years in the past, there was simply such hope that Madison could be discovered…[and she] would come again and make the household complete once more,” Thiessen mentioned.
Mayor Kevin Moutray says Scott’s disappearance shocked the neighborhood.
“Everyone knew Madison [as] a sister, a daughter, a pal … any individual knew her ultimately, and you’ve got all that connection,” he mentioned.
Moutray says he hopes the invention will result in a decision within the RCMP’s investigation of Scott’s demise, however within the meantime, he hopes it will probably assist her household start to heal.
“It’s going to be an extended journey for them, and hopefully, as a neighborhood, we may be there for them and supply them the assist they should undergo this.”