The mother of a missing Indigenous woman who was last seen almost a week ago near Pure Lake on Haida Gwaii is pleading for her safe return.
According to Masset RCMP, Shaylanna Meaghan Lewis, 23, was last seen on March 21 near the popular lake, walking south on Highway 16.
She is described as an Indigenous female, 5’7 and 174 pounds with brown eyes and brown, recently-shaved hair.
Shaylanna’s mother, Old Massett resident Monica Brown, told the Observer that Shaylanna also uses the surname Brown.
Monica said she did not know who spotted her daughter by the lake, adding that she and her son Gavin last saw Shaylanna the night before she disappeared.
“She said goodnight to Gavin and myself,” Monica said, adding that the exchange took place around 10:30 p.m. “[She] said she was tired so she was going to bed.”
Monica also said it is not like Shaylanna to go missing and that she hadn’t ruled out foul play.
“If anyone has seen her or knows anything please come forward,” she said.
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Sgt. Kevin Smith told the Observer that Masset RCMP conducted an air search on March 23 and a dog handler from the Prince George detachment started assisting with ground searches on March 25.
“All resources are being used on a daily basis,” Smith said.
On March 30, he also said the detachment was aware a sweater had been found by a search party organized by residents and RCMP were working to confirm whether or not it belonged to Shaylanna.
Anyone with information about Shaylanna or where she might be is asked to contact the Masset RCMP at 250-626-3991 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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