Volunteers in the Fort Nelson First Nation are continuing to search for a woman who has been missing from the community in northern British Columbia for nearly two months.
On Sunday, a small group of volunteers led a renewed search for 57-year-old First Nation member Karen Tessier, who was last seen on July 9 in nearby Fort Nelson, B.C.
“It’s been a difficult process because you are looking for someone you love and you know she’s out there somewhere,” said Karen’s sister Terri Tessier.
“She’s a really good person and very loving and I don’t understand why it just happened to her.”
Almost a week after her disappearance, Karen Tessier’s black Dodge Caravan was found in a rural area outside Fort Nelson. Her small black dog, Soma, was then found wandering loose in Prophet River, about an hour’s drive south of the location where the van was found.
‘A piece of each of us is missing’
Investigators with the RCMP’s North District Major Crime Unit believe members of the public have information about Tessier’s disappearance but are not coming forward.
Her disappearance was identified as a top priority for the newly elected Fort Nelson First Nation band council, who organized a community search for her on July 21.
“We continue to lift Karen, her family and many friends who loved her dearly in our hearts, and we are deeply grateful to those who continuously and tirelessly search for her and seek answers,” said Fort Nelson First Nation member and former chief Sharleen Gale, in a statement on social media.
“When one of us is missing, a piece of each of us is missing. As a people and as a nation, we ask that if you know something, please do the right thing and speak up.”
Terri Tessier says she will not give up looking for her sister until she has answers.
“Find Karen, search for Karen, bring her home. She needs to be home with us and we need to have some sort of closure, especially for my mom and dad.”
Anyone with information about Karen Tessier and her whereabouts is urged to contact the Northern Rockies RCMP at 250-744-2777 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.