More than a decade after she vanished in a remote part of western Alberta, a ground and water search is underway north of Hinton as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Stephanie Stewart.
The RCMP Historical Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into the disappearance of the 70-year-old forestry worker.
RCMP along with multiple agencies, including the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, and search and rescue teams, are searching near the Athabasca Fire Tower, Jarvis Lake and Highway 40 North in Hinton.
In 2006, Stewart vanished while working alone at a wildfire lookout in northwestern Alberta. The senior had vanished during her morning routine.
The healthy and adventurous senior was reported missing on Aug. 26, 2006 from the Athabasca lookout, located about 25 kilometres northwest of Hinton, an industrial town about 280 kilometres west of Edmonton at the edge of Jasper National Park.
Stewart, 5-foot-2 and 105 lbs., was considered very active and healthy for a 70-year-old and isn’t thought to have just walked away from the property where she spent each summer working as a fire spotter.
Police said there may be an increased police presence and said there is no risk to public safety. As well, there are no restrictions to any public activities in the area.
RCMP said the search isn’t connected to any new leads specifically but rather, each open homicide investigation continually gets investigated.
The search is expected to last until Friday. No other details are being released.
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