Highway of Tears case: Death of B.C. woman investigated as possible victim of serial killer remains unsolved
It's a mystery that remains unsolved nearly three decades later: What exactly happened to Roxanne Thiara?
Police say "there is no such thing as a cold case," and this week, a local division of Crime Stoppers made an attempt to bring in fresh leads Tuesday.
The young woman is one of several in British Columbia believed to have met their end on a notorious stretch of roadway dubbed the "Highway of Tears."
Police say "there is no such thing as a cold case," and this week, a local division of Crime Stoppers made an attempt to bring in fresh leads.
Thiara's remains were found in August 1994 on Highway 16, between Prince George and Prince Rupert.
The 725-kilometre section of highway has also been tied to many cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Thiara was one of more than a dozen women whose deaths were examined by an RCMP task force ordered to look into the possibility that a serial killer, or more than one killer, was active in the province.
The investigation involving the women who were killed along major highways was called Project E-PANA, named for the Inuit word "Pana," describing the spirit goddess who looks after souls before they go on to heaven or are re-incarnated.
It started with the cases of nine women, and soon grew to 18, most of whom are believed to be homicide victims. Five could not be found.
The victims were all female, and were either hitchhiking or engaged in something else the RCMP deemed to be "high-risk behaviour." They were all last seen, or their remains were found, near three B.C. highways between 1969 and 2006
In addition to Highway 16, highways 97 and 5 were also included.
Police said the initial years of investigation determined that a single serial killer was not responsible for all of the 18 deaths and disappearances.
At the time of the latest update, in 2012, there were still 50 investigators and support staff working to solve the cases of the missing and murdered women.
Some remain unsolved to this day, including that of Thiara.
In an attempt to encourage tips, CrimeStoppers is reminding the public that it is an option for those who, for various reasons, don't want to speak to police or don't want to be tied to the case.
"We'll get your information to the police without revealing who you are," CSCO wrote in a Facebook post that included a photo of the missing woman.
Tips can be made to CSCO at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
The post doesn't mention a possible payout, but the non-profit's website says it pays rewards of up to $2,000 for tips that lead to charges or an arrest.
CTV News has reached out to the RCMP for more information on Thiara and her case. This article will be updated if additional information is made available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.