Relatives of missing women were among dozens of people who attended a rally Sunday evening at a Salmon River Road property near Salmon Arm, B.C., where the remains of a missing teen were found in 2017.
For years, advocates have been calling for action and criminal justice after five women disappeared from the North Okanagan and Shuswap regions in the span of approximately 18 months.
Four of those women, Caitlin Potts, Ashley Simpson, Deanna Wertz and Nicole Bell, remain missing years after their respective disappearances in 2016 and 2017.
Traci Genereaux, 18, was found dead during an extensive police search of a Salmon River Road property in 2017.
It was outside that property where advocates gathered on Sunday chanting “the families want answers” and “gone but not forgotten.”
The group also called out asking someone from the property to speak with them and chanted “we come in peace” and “we want to talk.”
Among those in attendance were the families of many of the missing women.
Caitlin Potts’ mother Priscilla Potts travelled from Alberta to attend the rally.
It’s been almost five years since her 27-year-old daughter went missing and Priscilla Potts said she felt blessed to have the support from those at the rally.
“I just miss my girl,” Potts said. “I just want to know where she is at.”
Nicole Bell’s mother was also in attendance at the rally Sunday night.
“All these women are missing and there is no accountability for these women. We want answers. We are furious. We are angry that there is nothing being done,” Bell’s mother Jane Aubertin said.
“Somebody holds an answer so we are out here rallying to say somebody please speak up.”
The rally comes after a recent police warning advising sex-trade workers to avoid the Salmon River Road area for their own safety.
“We are asking anyone who receives a request for sex-related services in the area of Salmon River Road not to attended the area and contact police immediately,” Const. Chris Terleski said.
Since the discovery of Genereaux’s remains, Curtis Sagmoen, who is believed to live on the property, has been convicted of crimes perpetrated against sex workers.
In the wake of those convictions, Sagmoen is under a probation order banning him from having any contact with sex trade workers.
Police also released a photo of Sagmoen last month “in the interest of safety,” they said.
No one has been charged in connection with Genereaux’s death and Sagmoen has not been named a suspect.
He has also not been linked to the disappearances of the four other women.