Investigators with the Southeast District Major Crimes Unit have been called in to help the Vernon RCMP search for a missing woman.
On Apr. 30, 2016, Vernon RCMP initiated a missing person investigation, due to the unexplained disappearance of Ashley Marie Simpson. Simpson was last seen on Apr. 27 and has not been located since. According to RCMP, Simpson's typical communication with friends and family has ceased without explanation and investigators suspect that her disappearance may be the result of foul play.
"SED MCU investigators have completed a search of a property on Yankee Flats Rd in Salmon Arm BC. Ashley Marie Simpson remains classified as missing," added Cpl Dan Moskaluk.
A Facebook group has been created to help share information about Simpson as well as an official website.
“It’s not like Ashley to not call home or just go on Facebook to contact anybody in the family,” said Patty McGean, Ashley’s aunt. “Not knowing if she’s hitchhiked out of the area she is in if she got lost in the woods. We need to know which direction Ashley went and nobody knows.”
A go-fund-me campaign has also been launched to help Simpson's family travel from Ontario to B.C. to search for the missing woman. According to family, Simpson was headed home to Niagra-on-the-Lake but it is unclear if she left Salmon Arm by bus, car, or even at all.
Both the Major Crimes Unit and Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP are working to locate Simpson and the investigation. No arrests have been made and the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the RCMP at 250-545-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 250-222-8477.
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