UPDATE:
Missing family found safe and sound
Dease Lake RCMP said on Thursday that it seems the family were not adequately prepared for their adventure.
On Wednesday, June 20, at approximately 3 p.m., Search and Rescue and RCMP located the missing family from Oregon.
After the family was found it was learned that they planned to travel to Alaska, while camping along the way. Although they came with some camping supplies it seems they may have underestimated the vastness of northern BC, such as the distances between services and were not adequately prepared for the trip they had planned.
The family is being supported by many partner agencies to help them get to their destination. There is no criminal investigation and the family is doing well.
The RCMP wish to thank everyone involved that saw this situation come to a successful and happy conclusion.
UPDATE:
RCMP announced on Wednesday afternoon that four people matching the description of missing family have been spotted by air search.
At approximately 3 p.m., Terrace, Stewart and Smithers Search and Rescue spotted four individuals that may be the family they have been looking for.
Further resources are being obtained to reach the people and bring then to safety. Although the identities of the individuals have not been confirmed, authorities are hopeful that these are who they have been looking for.
DEASE Lake RCMP in B.C. announced on Wednesday that they were told of an abandoned vehicle on the power line, approximately 500 meters from the highway, on Monday (June 18). The vehicle, a black 2018 Toyota Yaris with Oregon License Plate 099KRW, had a sign on it indicating that the driver had possibly run out of fuel and had gone to get some. However, all checks with area gas stations by police have drawn a blank.
Through investigation, police believe that the vehicle has been in the Dease Lake area since Sunday, June 10. They have learned that the people associated to the vehicle are:
* Jeffery Phan, 24
* Michelle Lesaca, 24
* Satana Phan, 3
* Satan Phan, 2
Police have contacted the Oregon Police and family for the missing people and have learned that the family planned to travel to the Philippines but later changed their plans. Evidence suggests that on Friday, May 25, they checked into the airport in Portland, Oregon, but cancelled the ticket and never boarded the plane.
Police learned that the vehicle and family entered Canada at the Roosville Border crossing near Fernie, B.C., on June 9.
RCMP and Search and Rescue are presently searching the area where the vehicle was found. Authorities are conducting ground and air searches and the RCMP dog team (PDS) from Terrace is assisting in these efforts.
According to Wikipedia: “Dease Lake is a small community located in the Cassiar Country of the Northern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Located only a few hours south of the Yukon border, it is located on Highway 37 at the south end of the lake of the same name. Dease Lake is the last major centre before the Alaska Highway, and also the junction to Telegraph Creek and the Grand Canyon of the Stikine. Dease Lake Indian Reserve No. 9 is located nearby and is under the governance of the Tahltan First Nation band government.”
