The search for a missing Vancouver woman at Statlu Lake near Harrison has been suspended, Agassiz RCMP said Monday.
Sophie Dowsley was last seen July 8 with Gregory James Tiffin in Harrison Hot Springs.
Tiffin’s body was found last week.
RCMP and Kent-Harrison Search and Rescue continued the search for the missing woman, orginally from Melborne, Australia. However, after a final day of searching on July 22, RCMP said the search was being suspended.
The brother of the missing woman said the family understands the decision.
“After visiting this area and gaining an understanding of the terrain and conditions,” said Jamie Dowsley in a Facebook post he asked to be shared in Canada, “our family fully accept this decision.”
Tiffin and Dowsley were reported missing on July 10. A ground and air search was initiated on July 12 by RCMP after the pair’s vehicle was located parked near a Statlu Lake hiking trail by Kent Harrison Search and Rescue (KHSAR).
Agassiz RCMP supported by KHSAR, Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service (PDS) the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team (ERT), RCMP aircraft, and Search and Rescue aircraft combed the region searching for the missing people.
On July 18 the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team was sent in after Tiffin’s body was located by ERT searchers. A personal item of Dowsley’s was also found near the base of the waterfall that pours out of the lake.
However, after a 10-day search of Statlu Lake and, exhausting all efforts to locate the 34-year-old woman, RCMP have suspended the search, said Cpl. Mike Rail, spokesperson for the UFVRD.
“A thorough ground and air search of the region has been conducted for Sophie. Although the initial land and air search is suspended our missing person investigation remains open,” Rail said. “RCMP remain in close contact with her family.”
Jamie Dowsley thanked local search crews for their efforts. “We acknowledge that this is one of the most dangerous search and recovery operations that you have ever conducted. Every day you put your lives at risk to find Sophie and we thank you for that.”