CANMORE – The parents of a missing Australian woman, who had been living in Canmore since January before she went missing on Saturday (June 10), say she died in a hiking accident near a steep cliff.
Friends of Julia-Mary Lane, known as JM, raised the alarm with police, who mounted an extensive search around Kimberley, B.C. where she had headed to hike.
“We have lost our beautiful baby girl, Julia-Mary in an unfortunate hiking accident,” wrote the Lane family in a Facebook post.
“Please allow us 24 hours to process this sad news.”
Kimberley RCMP say they were alerted on June 11 that a 25-year-old woman was missing after her concerned roommate had not heard from her since the previous day.
"The death appears to have been accidental. She likely lost her footing near the steep cliff," said Cpl. James Grandy.
Grandy said frontline officers located the woman’s vehicle – a Ford Escape – parked near Bear Lake near Marysville, B.C.
Her watch, which has GPS capabilities, also showed her last known whereabouts was in that area.
”Search and Rescue, along with the RCMP’s Police Dog Services, and the use of a drone, were engaged in the search,” said Grandy.
“Unfortunately, searchers found the woman, deceased."
Kimberley RCMP continues to support the BC Coroner Service during their investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased,” said Cpl. Grandy.
Friend Janet Hamilton posted on local Bow Valley social media sites earlier this week that she hadn’t seen her housemate Julia-Mary since Saturday afternoon and asked if anyone had seen her.
She said Lane was headed to the Kimberley area for about a week, with plans to hike most days.
Having spoken to Lane’s family in Australia after she went missing, Hamilton said the Brisbane-based family indicated disappearing was completely out of character for Lane and they were worried.
She said her family was usually in contact with her daily, and they too had not heard from her since Saturday.
“Thank you everyone in this wonderful community for all your help and support over the past two days in the search for Julia-Mary,” said Hamilton.
“I feel honoured to have spent time with her this past week, as she was a joy to be around. A truly beautiful soul.”
