September 25 marks 26 years since Deena Braem vanished in Quesnel, B.C.—and her murder remains unsolved.
The 16-year-old was last seen in the early morning hours of September 25, 1999, hitchhiking in the rain after leaving a party. She was just a day away from her 17th birthday.
Nearly three months later, a hunter discovered her body in a shallow grave near Pinnacles Park, about 15 kilometres from where she was last seen.
RCMP initially told her family they had a likely suspect but lacked enough evidence to lay charges. Over time, investigators left the case, and as of 2019, Deena’s parents say they’ve had little to no contact from police in over a decade.
Although her case shares similarities with others along the Highway of Tears, it was never added to the RCMP’s E-Pana investigation, due to her being last seen more than a mile from the highway.
Police say the file remains open, but there have been no major breakthroughs. Deena’s backpack, missing since the night she vanished, has never been found.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Quesnel RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
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