Burns Lake residents are gathered along Hwy. 16 today to honour a Lake Babine Nation member from Smithers who lost her life, 18-year-old Jessica Patrick.

Although the RCMP has not confirmed if it was Patrick’s body that was found on Hudson Bay Mountain earlier this month, Patrick’s family told a crowd in Smithers during a recent vigil that family members were involved in finding her body.

READ MORE: Vigil for Jessica Patrick

While the RCMP says at least 18 women went missing or were murdered along Hwy. 16 and the adjacent Hwy. 97 and Hwy. 5 since the 1970s, many people living in Northern B.C. believe that number could be higher.

READ MORE: First Nations groups in B.C. raise concerns over national inquiry

Burns Lake Lakes District News