The body of Jessie Lavallee, the missing Regina woman who fell into Mad River near Clearwater B.C. last month, was found and confirmed deceased on June 13.
Police reports say there’s no evidence of foul play in Lavallee’s death and the matter has been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service.
“We’re happy that we found her, not the way we wanted to find her, but we’re grateful that we get to bring her home,” said Kayla Lavallee, Jessie’s neice.
“There are people out there (in B.C.) that spent their hearts looking for her; closure will come later I guess.”
After finding out Lavallee was missing Kayla, along with her mother and both grandparents, traveled from their home province of Saskatchewan to help look for their missing family member.
Clearwater RCMP got a report at roughly 9 a.m. on May 11, saying a 31 year-old woman fell into Mad River near Hwy. 5 north of Vavenby and had been taken by the fast flowing current.
Clearwater RCMP, Search and Rescue and RCMP Air Services conducted ground and aerial searches, but couldn’t find her.
On June 13 Clearwater RCMP were told a body had been found in the North-Thompson River south of Barriere B.C., which has since been identified as Lavallee.
“She is a part of us—we feel like we’re missing a chunk of our lives. We’re always going to be missing a piece of ourselves and my whole childhood feels like it’s gone now,” Kayla said.
“She was a beautiful mother and a wonderful person to be around; we’re never going to be the same without her and I hope no other family ever has to experience something like this.”
