The Highway of Tears stretches along a 450-mile section of Canada's Route 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway. Since 1970, this ominous road cutting through British Columbia has become notorious for an alarming number of disappearances, particularly among First Nations people. The highway runs from Prince George to Prince Rupert, connecting numerous small communities along a route that has witnessed tragedy after tragedy.

In 2005, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) finally launched an investigation into several cases along this highway, initially examining the deaths of three teenage girls: Ramona Wilson, Roxan Thiara, and Leah Germaine, who all disappeared in 1994. What began as an inquiry into possible connections between these three cases quickly expanded when investigators discovered at least 18 similar incidents. Indigenous communities, however, estimate the actual number to be much higher—at least 40 cases—with disappearances continuing to this day.

Key Takeaways

The Highway of Tears refers to a 450-mile stretch of Route 16 in British Columbia where numerous people have vanished since 1970.
Official RCMP investigations began in 2005, initially focusing on three teenage victims from 1994 before discovering many more cases.
While the RCMP acknowledges at least 18 cases, indigenous communities report the number to be much higher at around 40 or more victims.

Canada's National Highway Network: A Comprehensive Look

Canada's interprovincial roadways form an extensive national highway system that connects communities across the vast country. These highways serve as critical infrastructure, linking provinces and facilitating transportation of people and goods throughout the nation.

The Yellowhead Route: A Major Cross-Provincial Corridor

Route 16, commonly known as the Yellowhead Highway, spans approximately 1,800 miles across western Canada. This major transportation artery serves as a vital connection between numerous communities and traverses four provinces. Named after its crossing point through Yellowhead Pass in the Canadian Rockies, this highway represents one of the longest continuous routes in the national system.

The western portion of the Yellowhead has gained notoriety due to safety concerns. Since the 1970s, the 450-mile stretch between Prince George and Prince Rupert in British Columbia has been associated with numerous disappearances and has become the focus of ongoing investigations and community concern.

Connecting Population Centers and Rural Communities

The Yellowhead Highway serves as a critical link between several major urban centers and numerous smaller communities across western Canada. Major cities along the route include:

Winnipeg (Manitoba)
Saskatoon (Saskatchewan)
Edmonton (Alberta)
Prince George (British Columbia)
Prince Rupert (British Columbia)

Beyond these larger urban centers, Route 16 provides essential connections for dozens of smaller towns and First Nations communities. This interconnectivity is vital for economic development, access to services, and transportation of goods between rural and urban areas.

Geographical Scope of the Yellowhead Corridor

The Yellowhead Highway traverses a remarkably diverse geographical landscape. Beginning in Manitoba's central region, it extends westward across the prairie provinces before crossing the Rocky Mountains at Yellowhead Pass and continuing to the Pacific coast at the Haida Gwaii archipelago.

This transcontinental route passes through:

Prairie landscapes of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Alberta's agricultural heartland
The majestic Canadian Rockies
British Columbia's interior forests
Coastal mountain ranges
Pacific coastal areas

This geographical diversity presents unique challenges for maintenance and travel, particularly during winter months when sections of the highway can experience severe weather conditions. The route's western segments through mountainous terrain include some of Canada's most scenic yet challenging driving conditions.

Highway of Tears

The Yellowhead Highway (Route 16) spans over 1,800 miles across Canada, connecting numerous communities from Manitoba to British Columbia's west coast. While most of the highway serves as a vital transportation link, the 450-mile stretch from Prince George to Prince Rupert has earned a dark reputation. This segment has become known by a name that speaks to decades of tragedy and unanswered questions.

The Road of Disappearances

Since 1970, a disturbing pattern has emerged along Highway 16 in British Columbia. Numerous individuals have vanished while traveling this remote corridor, with many cases remaining unsolved decades later. The route connects several small communities with limited public transportation, forcing many residents to rely on hitchhiking to travel between towns.

The isolation of this highway creates perfect conditions for predators. Dense forests line much of the route, with vast distances between settlements and limited cellular coverage. These factors have contributed to the highway's grim reputation as a place where people simply disappear.

The Unsolved Cases Since 1970

Official counts from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) documented at least 18 cases as of 2007, though Indigenous communities estimate the number to be much higher—at least 40 victims. The disappearances continue to this day, with the list growing over the years.

Three cases from 1994 eventually triggered deeper investigation:

Victim Age Last Seen Discovery Ramona Wilson 16 June 11, 1994 in Smithers Found April 1995 near Smithers airport Roxan Thiara 15 Summer 1994 in Prince George Found in brush off Highway 16 near Burns Lake Leah Germaine Teen December 9, 1994 in Prince George Found December 9, 1994 behind elementary school

These three deaths occurred within months of each other, prompting concerns about a possible serial killer. It wasn't until 2005—eleven years later—that authorities launched a comprehensive investigation. By then, the pattern of disappearances was undeniable.

Disproportionate Impact on Indigenous Women

The majority of victims along the Highway of Tears have been First Nations women and girls, highlighting a disturbing pattern that extends beyond this single highway. Indigenous victims face unique vulnerabilities in these communities, including:

Limited transportation options in remote areas
Socioeconomic factors forcing reliance on hitchhiking
Historical distrust between Indigenous communities and law enforcement

Many victims were young and in vulnerable situations. For example, 15-year-old Roxan Thiara had struggled after time in juvenile detention, eventually becoming involved with drugs and falling into exploitation. Twelve-year-old children should never face such circumstances, yet her story represents the heightened risks for Indigenous youth.

The investigation of these cases has been criticized for delays and inadequate responses. Had authorities recognized the pattern sooner than 2005, some lives might have been saved. Certain cases, despite clear connections to the highway, weren't even included in the official database of Highway of Tears victims.

Historical Investigations and Police Response

2005 RCMP Case Review

In 2005, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) initiated a formal investigation into a pattern of disappearances along Highway 16 in British Columbia. The British Columbia Unsolved Homicide Unit was specifically tasked with examining the 1994 deaths of three Indigenous teenagers: Ramona Wilson, Roxanne Thiara, and Leah Germain. This review began after RCMP behavioral science experts identified concerning similarities between these cases. What started as an inquiry into three deaths quickly expanded when investigators discovered at least 18 similar cases along the same highway corridor.

Victim Pattern Analysis

The three initially reviewed cases shared striking similarities. Ramona Wilson, 16, disappeared from Smithers on June 11, 1994, while heading to a dance in Hazelton. Her remains were discovered in April 1995 near the Smithers airport alongside yellow rope and nylon cables. Roxanne Thiara, only 15, was last seen in downtown Prince George before her body was found off Highway 16 near Burns Lake. Leah Germain disappeared after leaving a Christmas party at the Prince George Native Friendship Center, with her remains discovered that same night behind a local elementary school.

These victims shared several common factors:

Age: All were teenage girls
Ethnicity: Indigenous background
Location: Bodies found near Highway 16
Timeframe: All disappeared within a 6-month period in 1994

Public Concerns and Media Coverage

Media outlets began speculating about the possibility of a serial killer operating along Highway 16 well before the official investigation launched. This public discourse contributed to the RCMP finally conducting their formal review in 2005. The 450-mile stretch of Highway 16 from Prince George to Prince Rupert had earned the grim nickname "Highway of Tears" due to the disproportionate number of missing and murdered Indigenous people along its route.

The official RCMP count of 18 victims (last updated in 2007) differs significantly from Indigenous community estimates of at least 40 victims. One notable case excluded from the RCMP's official "E-PANA" Highway of Tears database involved an entire family's disappearance, which had been well-known in British Columbia for approximately 15 years before the formal investigation began.

Victims Along Route 16

The 450-mile stretch of Highway 16 running through British Columbia, often called the "Highway of Tears," has seen numerous disappearances and murders since 1970. Most victims have been from First Nations communities. This section examines three cases from 1994 that prompted deeper investigation into potential patterns along this notorious roadway.

Ramona Wilson's Disappearance

Ramona Wilson, a 16-year-old from Smithers, British Columbia, vanished on June 11, 1994. She left her home around 9:45 PM, telling family she planned to attend a dance in Hazelton, approximately 45 miles away. Her whereabouts remained unknown for nearly a year.

On April 9, 1995, two teenage dirt bikers made a grim discovery in a wooded area near the Smithers municipal airport, just off Highway 16. They found Ramona's remains alongside yellow rope and nylon cables. Her clothing—leggings and a purple sweatshirt—was recovered nearby, but her shoes were never located.

Roxanne Thiara's Case

Roxanne Thiara faced significant challenges from an early age. By 12, she had been placed in youth detention for a minor offense. Following her release, she struggled to reintegrate into society. By age 15, she had fallen into substance use and exploitation.

Roxanne was last seen in downtown Prince George after informing a friend she was meeting a client. Her remains were later discovered in brush alongside Highway 16, just before the town of Burns Lake. Her case shared troubling similarities with other disappearances along the same stretch of road.

Leah Germain's Tragedy

Leah Germain's disappearance occurred in December 1994 in Prince George. On December 9, she attended the Prince George Native Friendship Center's Christmas party for street youth. A youth worker recalled that Leah briefly left with her cousin but promised to return, asking staff to save a present for her.

Tragically, Leah never came back. That same night, around 11:00 PM, teenagers discovered her remains behind the former Haley Road Elementary School, just off Highway 16. Her case, along with those of Ramona Wilson and Roxanne Thiara, eventually prompted the RCMP to request a formal investigation in 2005—eleven years after these three deaths occurred within a six-month period.

The official investigation revealed a much larger pattern, with at least 18 cases recognized by authorities by 2007. First Nations communities suggest the actual number of missing and murdered along this highway may exceed 40 victims.

The Extent of the Problem

The highway system in Canada spans vast distances, connecting various communities across the country. One particular stretch of road, Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert in British Columbia, has earned a grim nickname: "The Highway of Tears." This 450-mile segment has witnessed a disturbing pattern of disappearances since 1970, predominantly affecting First Nations individuals.

Official Figures Underreported

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's documentation of cases along the Highway of Tears appears significantly incomplete. Their database includes only 18 cases, a figure that hasn't been updated since 2007. This official count emerged from an investigation that began in 2005, when authorities finally recognized a potential pattern after examining the 1994 disappearances of three Indigenous teenage girls: Ramona Wilson, Roxanne Thiara, and Leah Germain.

The RCMP's delayed response is particularly troubling. Despite the three victims disappearing within a six-month period in similar circumstances, it took authorities eleven years to launch a formal investigation into possible connections. Even more concerning, some well-documented cases have been excluded from the official count, including entire families who have vanished along the highway.

Community Assessment of Missing Persons

Indigenous communities paint a starkly different picture of the situation's magnitude. According to First Nations sources, at least 40 people have disappeared along the Highway of Tears—more than double the RCMP's acknowledged figure. This dramatic disparity suggests serious deficiencies in official reporting and investigation processes.

The community count continues to grow, indicating the problem persists despite increased awareness. Many victims share similar vulnerabilities, often being young Indigenous women or girls who were in precarious life situations. Their remains, when discovered, are typically found in wooded areas just off Highway 16, suggesting a pattern that demands more comprehensive investigation than has occurred to date.

The Hidden Investigation

A Vanished Family Unit

On Canada's Highway 16, spanning 450 miles from Prince George to Prince Rupert in British Columbia, numerous people have disappeared since 1970. This stretch, known as the Highway of Tears, has claimed many victims, predominantly from First Nations communities. While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officially acknowledges 18 cases in their database, Indigenous communities estimate the number to be at least 40 victims.

The disappearances along this highway prompted an investigation in 2005 when the RCMP's behavior science experts noted similarities between three cases from 1994. These cases involved Ramona Wilson, Roxanne Thiara, and Leah Germaine - all teenage girls who vanished under troubling circumstances near Highway 16.

Notable Omissions from Official Records

One significant case remains conspicuously absent from the RCMP's Highway of Tears database, despite occurring well before their 2005 investigation began. This case involved not just a single person but an entire family unit that disappeared. The incident was well-known throughout British Columbia for approximately 15 years before authorities launched any formal investigation into the highway's pattern of disappearances.

The RCMP's official list, known as the E-PANA database, hasn't been updated since 2007 according to available information. This static record fails to account for additional disappearances that local Indigenous communities report have continued to occur in the years since the investigation launched.

Highway of Tears: Indigenous Women, Systemic Neglect, and RCMP's Failed Investigations