Australian woman found dead in Canadian bear territory after hiking tragedy
Australian woman found dead in Canadian bear country after tragic ‘hiking accident’: ‘We lost our beautiful girl’
- Missing Australian woman confirmed dead in Canada
- Julia-Mary Lane, 24, was walking in bear country
- She had moved from Brisbane to Alberta in January
A young Australian woman who went missing while hiking in Canada’s bear country has been found dead.
Julia-Mary Lane, 24, who moved from Brisbane to Alberta in early January, was walking on the Bear Lake Trail near the town of Kimberley, 200 km southwest of Calgary.
She was reported missing by her Canadian roommate, Janet Hamilton, in the early hours of Tuesday (AEST).
Ms Lane’s family had not heard from her since Saturday morning and seriously feared for her safety.
Her family confirmed Wednesday morning that she had died in a ‘unfortunate walking accident’.
Brisbane woman Julia-Mary Lane (pictured) has been found dead after taking a walk in Canada’s bear territory
“We have lost our beautiful girl,” Ms Lane’s family wrote in a Facebook post.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) conducted a search of Ms Lane after being contacted by Ms Hamilton.
“The roommate was concerned for the woman, who was visiting the area from Australia and loved hiking and the outdoors,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corporal James Grandy said in a statement.
Police discovered Mrs. Lane’s SUV parked on the Bear Lake Trail before they began the search for the young woman.
“Search and rescue, along with the RCMP’s police canine services and the use of a drone, were in the process of searching,” Cpl Grandy said.
Unfortunately, searchers found the woman dead. The death is not considered suspicious.’
Ms. Lane’s SUV was found off Bear Lake Trail (pictured) in the eastern Canadian province of British Columbia
The young Aussie’s family confirmed she had died in an ‘unfortunate hiking accident’, saying in a Facebook post: ‘We have lost our beautiful girl’
According to Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Lane had traveled to the trail in British Columbia as part of a week-long road trip.
Her flatmate posted to a local Facebook group calling for help finding the young Aussie after she went missing.
‘I haven’t seen my young Australian roommate, JM, since Saturday afternoon and I wonder if anyone has run into her on a walk?’ said Mrs. Hamilton.
“She only came to Kimberley from Canmore for a week, with plans to hike most days.”
A responder said she and her husband may have seen Ms Lane walking the path on Saturday afternoon, with others offering to search for her.
Ms. Lane (pictured) moved from Brisbane to Alberta, Canada, in early January. She had been sitting on the house waiting for a job in the financial industry
Following the confirmation of her death, Ms. Hamilton updated her post: ‘Thank you everyone in this wonderful community for all your help and support over the past two days in the search for Julia-Mary.
“I am honored to have spent time with her this past week as she has been a joy to be around. A truly beautiful soul.’
Mrs. Lane had been sitting on the house while waiting for a job in the financial industry in Canada and had used her free time to go for a walk.
Her family has asked for privacy.