Northern B.C. community grapples with unsolved disappearance and death of vibrant young woman.

Betsy Trumpener · CBC News · Original Article at CBC website

For 13 years, the mystery of what happened to Madison Scott haunted the community of Vanderhoof, B.C., which is about 80 kilometres west of Prince George and 530 kilometres north of Vancouver.

Described as a vibrant and kind 20-year-old, Scott vanished from a remote campsite in May 2011.

A dozen years later, in May 2023, her remains were discovered at a rural property about 16 kilometres from where she went missing.

Now, one year after the tragic discovery, there are still no answers about her disappearance and death.

There were extensive searches by air, ground, and water, using helicopters, horses and all-terrain vehicles.

The exhaustive campaign to find Scott continued for 12 years. Missing posters with Scott’s face featured on billboards across northern B.C. Her family offered a $100,000 reward and there were annual searches and international media coverage.

But answers about how Scott disappeared — and why she died — remained elusive.

Then, one year ago this week — there was the first break in the case: RCMP said Scott’s remains had been found on a rural property, about 18 kilometres from the campsite where she was last seen.

Police provided no details, saying only that they were now serving a search warrant on the property. For more than three weeks, RCMP cruisers, unmarked trucks, and a white tent canopy were visible from a gravel road near the property.

The community mourned Scott’s death publicly, with the municipal flag at Vanderhoof city hall lowered to half-mast. More than 1,000 people attended a vigil for Scott.

And many local people believed the mystery surrounding Scott’s disappearance and death would soon be solved — and charges laid.

In a statement posted to social media this week, the Scott family said, “While finding Maddy has yielded some relief, it has generated many other questions that remain unsolved.

“We are forever grateful for the ongoing love and support we have had over the last 13 years. We are unwavering in our belief that justice will be obtained.”

The RCMP declined a CBC News interview this week. In a written statement Tuesday, RCMP North District Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said police “appreciate the public’s interest in the case,” and hope to provide further details in the future.

Vanderhoof Mayor Kevin Moutray says he has full confidence in the RCMP.

“As we know with police investigations, a year isn’t a lot of time. They’re doing what they need to do in the investigation and hopefully that will come to fruition soon, and the justice system will do what it needs to do, and [we will] see some justice happen,” said Moutray.

Lynne Stuart is a women’s counsellor and executive director of the Omineca Safe Home Society in Vanderhoof, where she works with women experiencing violence.

Stuart says Scott’s death is a tragedy that’s part of a pattern of violence against women in the area. And she wants answers from police.

“What we hear from the ladies that we serve, and from people who were friends with Madison, is just a frustration and … a lot of concern. Why did it take so long to find her?” said Stuart.

“Now there is this disbelief — why is it still taking so long? I realize these things take time but what is disheartening is the complete lack of information,” she said.

In their written statement, RCMP said a special Major Crime unit is working with the Vanderhoof detachment on an investigation that remains “active and ongoing.”

RCMP say they “need further help to find justice” and are seeking tips and new information from the public about Madison’s disappearance.

By Kristen Robinson & darrianglb Global News
Posted June 4, 2023 7:51 pm
Updated June 5, 2023 1:08 pm

Original Article on Global News

A candlelight vigil for Madison Scott drew a crowd almost half the size of the community of 4,500.

Two thousand people filled the field at Nechako Valley Secondary School in Vanderhoof, B.C., Saturday.

Scott loved hockey and baseball and attendees were invited to wear jerseys in her honour.

“It’s the start of the healing journey that we can come together and be there for each other,” Vanderhoof Mayor Kevin Moutray said.

Former classmates of Scott’s remember her vibrant personality.

“Just her happiness her whole demeanour of always smiling always and always in a good mood and really just such a spark,” said Michael Simoes.

“We were sharing lots of pictures and memories and talking and it’s just a different feeling — I don’t really know how to put a finger on it,” said Brittany Giesbrecht.

Exactly 12 years after she vanished, Scott’s remains were discovered on a rural property on the southeast edge of Vanderhoof last week.

RCMP investigators are at the site, and conducting a search of the property through a warrant.

A heavy police presence remains at the property, in the 6500 block of Southslope Road, with an RCMP checkpoint halfway up the driveway.

Scott’s parents said they never gave up hope their daughter would be found.

“Just her happiness her whole demeanour of always smiling always and always in a good mood and really just such a spark,” said Michael Simoes.

“We were sharing lots of pictures and memories and talking and it’s just a different feeling — I don’t really know how to put a finger on it,” said Brittany Giesbrecht.

Exactly 12 years after she vanished, Scott’s remains were discovered on a rural property on the southeast edge of Vanderhoof last week.

RCMP investigators are at the site, and conducting a search of the property through a warrant.

A heavy police presence remains at the property, in the 6500 block of Southslope Road, with an RCMP checkpoint halfway up the driveway.

Scott’s parents said they never gave up hope their daughter would be found.

Scott was last seen around 3 a.m. on May 28, 2011, at Hogsback Lake, which is southeast of Vanderhoof. She was celebrating a friend’s birthday.

When the 20-year-old didn’t return home, her parents drove to the lake the next day and found her truck with her purse still inside, as well as a flattened tent.

“Our initial search efforts were around the lake and the trails and what was significant on that first day was the lack of clues other than the truck and tent located,” said Chris Mushumanski with Nechako Valley Search and Rescue.

“We were deeply disappointed that we didn’t find her in those first few days,” added Mark Durupt of Nechako Valley Search and Rescue.

The rural property where Scott was found is about 18 kilometres away from Hogsback Lake.

RCMP officials have said the rural property search is ongoing and “will take as long as is required.”

Foul play has not been ruled out in Scott’s death and no charges have been laid.

Vanderhoof RCMP

2022-05-28 08:00 PDT

It has been eleven years since Madison disappeared and the RCMP and Scott family are again asking for the public’s help in solving her disappearance.

On May 29, 2011, a family member reported Madison Scott missing to the Vanderhoof RCMP. Madison was last seen at approximately 3 a.m. on May 28, 2011, while at Hogsback Lake, celebrating a friend’s birthday. Early in the investigation, police determined that it was out of character for Madison not to be in contact with her family and/or friends.

Madison was a vibrant, free-spirited, loyal and kind individual. When not hard at work at her parents’ family business, Madison immersed herself in family/friends, hockey, softball and photography. This year, Madison would be 31-years-old. She would be starting her career and perhaps even gotten married with the hopes of having children. Madison’s family have missed out on watching her become a wife, mother and aunt. Madison and her family deserve justice and closure.

Should you have any information regarding the disappearance of Madison Scott, please call the Vanderhoof RCMP at 250-567-2222, or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a message on their website at Solvecrime.ca.

The Scott family continues to offer a $100,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and laying of charge(s) of individual(s) responsible for Madison’s disappearance.