'It’s a needle in a haystack’: Parents of missing Kitchener woman join search efforts in B.C.
The parents of Jaqueline McDermott have flown out to B.C. to join in the search for their missing 22-year-old daughter from Kitchener.
“It’s a needle in a haystack. It’s upsetting for us,” said Nathalie St-Maurice, McDermott's mother, after getting a tour of the area in a helicopter with RCMP.
McDermott was reported missing on Oct. 1. According to RCMP, she was last seen near her vehicle after attending a meditation retreat. RCMP told CTV News that her vehicle was found broken down along Highway 97C between Merritt and Logan Lake but she was not in or near it.
“It’s really rough terrain around here if you don’t know your way around,” said St-Maurice. “We can see from being up there how easy it could be to get turned around. And so our hope is that she’ll walk out of the forest and be like where is my van?”
McDermott’s parents said they are overwhelmed by all the support they’ve been receiving from across the country.
“Complete strangers who have offered us their homes to stay in while we’re here, who have offered us food,” said St-Maurice.
Kelly Brook Allen, a B.C. resident said she doesn’t know the family but wanted to help.
“I hope she is found. I feel sick for the family,” Allen said.
Allen lives near where McDermott’s van was found. She said she spent three days searching on her horse along with a mounted search and rescue team.
B.C. residents seen on Oct. 3 joining the search for Jaqui McDermott. (Submitted/Kelly Brook Allen)
The RCMP said the community support is heartwarming but is urging the public to coordinate any searches with them first.
“We have several tools at our disposal. That includes police dogs, air services, and ground searches. Obviously, the more eyes the better. However, having several people wandering in the wooded area for example would hinder the police dog’s ability to appropriately track someone,” said Corporal Alex Bérubé in an emailed statement.
The parents said several friends and family of McDermott will be flying out soon to join the search. They said there are already dozens searching the area, many of who are volunteers.
“We’re still optimistic. We’re still harbouring hope that we’re going to be able to find Jaqui.” said Leigh McDermott, Jaqui's father.
St-Maurice said she believes her daughter is still out there and has a good chance at survival.
“She’s tree planted. She has done camping. She is a hiker. She is strong. She’s a vegan so she can forage for food probably,” she said.
Her parents said they plan to stay out west for as long as it takes to find their daughter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.