The body of missing B.C. mom Rachel Pernosky was found at the bottom of a steep embankment, homicide investigators announced Wednesday as the probe into her suspicious death widened.
Pernosky was reported missing Saturday night, and was last seen at her home, on Kite Street in Mission.
Police were called after someone spotted a body in the 43400-block of Orchard Road in Chilliwack around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Her body was removed from the site with the help of search and rescue crews. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.
At a press conference, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Sgt. Jennifer Pound said there are several people of interest in the case, and it’s not believed Pernosky’s death was random.
"Due to evidence retrieved thus far it is clear that Rachel was the victim of a homicide. IHIT continues to hold the scene today for evidence processing and area canvassing," said Sgt. Pound.
The teen was an avid user of social media, but her purse and cell phone were found at her home. Pernosky's social media activity will be looked at as part of the investigation.
In recent days, family members and friends told CTV News that although Pernosky did not have custody of her child, she had a good relationship with the father, and was supposed to see her toddler the day after her disappearance. Her child's father is not suspected in her death.
“Rachel was just 18 years old and a mother of a baby when her life was brutally taken from her. The person(s) who murdered her have left a hole in the lives of those who loved her and child who will be without his Mom, “ said Sgt. Pound.
Pernosky had apparently made plans recently to spend time with her aunt in Kelowna, and never went anywhere without her cell phone.
