Virginia Sampare, 18 and also known as Ginny, disappeared from Gitsegukla, British Columbia on the evening of October 14, 1971. That night she was at her mother’s home, upset over the recent disappearance of her boyfriend, and left the house on foot between 10:00 and 11:00 p.m., leaving her jacket behind despite cold weather. She was last seen walking along Highway 16 with her cousin Alvin, wearing a navy blue short-sleeved cotton shirt, brown corduroy pants, and black leather medium-height heels. Alvin briefly left to fetch a jacket or bicycle; when he returned he heard a vehicle door close but Virginia was gone.

Her mother tried to report her missing the next morning but was told to wait before contacting the RCMP. The RCMP opened a file on October 16, 1971. Volunteers, civil defence personnel and the RCMP searched dense brush in the area and used a helicopter; the official search ended on October 28, 1971. No trace of Virginia was ever found, and no conclusive explanation has emerged. Her family continues to seek answers.

Did anyone in the area at the time see a vehicle or person on Highway 16 that night who might help explain what happened to Virginia?