Sooke RCMP have called off the search for a missing hiker after an extensive effort on the weekend failed to yield results. About 80 volunteers from about 10 agencies took part in the effort to find Melissa McDevitt, who was reported missing to Victoria police on Dec. 10, 2022.
When asked how the family was doing before the latest search effort started, Tom McDevittB次元官网网址檚 simple reply spoke volumes.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just another regular day in the hope of getting some news about the search for our daughter,B次元官网网址� Tom McDevitt said in a telephone interview with Black Press from the family home in North Carolina.
Search and rescue efforts are scheduled to begin again this weekend after new information was discovered that could help find
McDevittB次元官网网址檚 vehicle, a 2015 grey Subaru Forester with a North Carolina licence plate, was also found on Dec. 10 near Sooke Potholes.
The timing of the new search efforts is a little unfortunate because McDevitt and his wife had just returned to North Carolina on July 4 after searching for Melissa since the middle of May.
B次元官网网址淲e had to go back to deal with family matters,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址漌hen youB次元官网网址檙e gone for two months things start to back up and need to be attended to.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭he search wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have restarted without the discovery of all sorts of information Melissa kept on her watch regarding her hikes that was retrieved recently,B次元官网网址� McDevitt explained. B次元官网网址淚t took a lot of time and effort on the part of individuals to track down the type of watch she had and access the information. The community has provided a tremendous amount of support throughout this.B次元官网网址�
McDevitt said they are reaching out to anyone who may have passed or interacted with Melissa on Friday, Dec. 9 or Saturday, Dec. 10.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an unconfirmed report that a mountain biker passed here at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. If that person came forward it would be extremely valuable because thatB次元官网网址檚 the last point of contact, and any new information could be helpful.B次元官网网址�
He urged anyone with information to email mindfulofmelissa@gmail.com.
The initial search was suspended on Dec. 19, but Sooke RCMP has maintained an active missing persons investigation.
B次元官网网址淭here has been an outpouring of support for Melissa and her family since she went missing,B次元官网网址� said Sgt. Kevin Shaw, acting Sooke RCMP detachment commander, in a statement. B次元官网网址淭he RCMP and MelissaB次元官网网址檚 family sincerely appreciate the publicB次元官网网址檚 assistance and continued efforts to find Melissa to this point. Given the specialized and focused nature of the renewed search efforts, however, we are asking people to please avoid the area this weekend to accommodate Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue efforts.B次元官网网址�
Anyone with information about McDevittB次元官网网址檚 whereabouts is asked to call Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241.
