24-year-old who recently moved to Canada vanishes on hike in bear country, family says
_fitted.png "A 24-year-old woman is missing after going for a hike near the town of Kimberley, in British Columbia, Canada, officials say.")
The family of a missing 24-year-old Australian woman is hoping for her safe return after she vanished during a hike in Canadian bear country, news outlets report.
Julia-Mary Lane had been living in Canada since January, The Guardian reported.
She was about to start a new job in finance and decided to take a trip to British Columbia to hike and house-sit, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC News).
But after going out for a hike on the Bear Lake Trail, near the town of Kimberley, she didn’t return. Friends and family haven’t seen or heard from her since Saturday, June 10, her housemate said in a Facebook post.
“I just spoke to her family in Australia and they are all very worried. Disappearing like this is completely out of character for JM,” the post said. “They are normally in contact with her daily and have not heard from her since Saturday morning.”
Lane’s vehicle, a Ford Escape with a bike rack and Alberta plates, was found at Bear Lake, according to the housemate. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are still searching for Lane.
“There are currently police out looking in the area we believe her car is,” her brother, Conor Lane, wrote in a Facebook post. “Please reach out and let me know if you have seen her or have any info about where she might be or was planning on going.”
As the search continues, Lane’s family says they’ll likely go to Canada, ABC reported. They are “trying not to think of the worst-case scenario,” Lane’s mother told the outlet. “I just hope she comes home safely.”
Before leaving for her hike, Lane posted in a Facebook group, asking for recommendations or fellow hikers to join her, saying “I am comfortable hiking solo but would prefer to go with a group to minimise bear risk of course,” The Guardian reported.
McClatchy News has reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for an update on the search.
This story was originally published June 13, 2023 at 1:16 PM with the headline "24-year-old who recently moved to Canada vanishes on hike in bear country, family says."