Lana Patrick Derrick
Ramona Lana Derrick
Date of Birth:
Age: 19 years
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Indigenous: Gitanyow First Nation
Date Last Seen: October 6th 1995
Location Last Seen: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Case Details: Lana was attending classes in Houston, a three-hour drive from Terrace. On the Friday before Thanksgiving, she caught a ride back to Terrace with a classmate. Knowing her parents, Marge and Darvin Haugan, were busy finishing a forestry contract over the weekend, Lana dropped off her belongings at their house and headed into town.
While driving around town, Lana’s stepsister, Clarice Dessert, spotted her walking along the street and stopped to chat. Clarice mentioned that their father had given her some cash to pass along to Lana. Lana suggested that Clarice take the money to her downtown apartment, as it would be easier for her to collect it there. After agreeing, the two parted ways.
That evening, Clarice hosted her younger sister for a sleepover, and they went to bed early. Around 3:00 a.m., Clarice woke up to knocking at her door. Half-asleep, she opened it to find Lana, who had come to pick up the money. Clarice recalled chatting briefly with her stepsister, who appeared intoxicated but seemed calm and not upset. Lana invited Clarice to a party, but she declined. Clarice handed Lana $30, and the two said goodnight. Clarice didn’t see any vehicle, headlights, or anyone else nearby.
On Saturday, Marge and Darvin noticed Lana’s bag still at home but assumed she had stayed at a friend’s house after a night out. Busy with work all weekend, they didn’t see her again. By Monday, Lana’s belongings remained untouched, and when she failed to attend classes on Tuesday, they knew something was wrong. Lana was known for being reliable and never missing school. Lana was last seen at 3:30 a.m. at her cousin’s house at 4456 Lakelse Avenue.
After contacting friends and family, they realized no one had seen Lana for three days. Alarmed, they reported her missing to the police. However, Marge and Darvin felt dismissed when authorities suggested Lana was likely out partying or staying with a boyfriend. Despite the family’s insistence that this was out of character, no significant search effort was made until nearly a week later.
Lana’s family, friends, and the local community launched their own search across British Columbia, both before and after receiving police assistance. The authorities eventually called off their involvement after a few days, leaving the family to continue their efforts alone.
A month after Lana’s disappearance, a witness came forward, reporting they had seen her at the Petro-Canada gas station in Thornhill around 3:30 a.m. on the morning she went missing. Thornhill, located across the river from downtown Terrace, has a gas station on the south side of Highway 16. According to the witness, Lana exited the backseat of a blue car, went into the convenience store, and then returned to the car before it drove off toward the Northern Motor Inn.
Unfortunately, security footage from that night had already been overwritten, leaving police unable to confirm the sighting. Sketches and descriptions of the two men reportedly with Lana were released, but no leads materialized. Lana’s supposed boyfriend also became a suspect. Clarice, who had briefly dated him before ending things due to his violent behavior while intoxicated, received a call the morning after Lana’s disappearance informing her that he had died by suicide the night before. Despite investigating, police found no evidence linking his death to Lana’s disappearance.
Lana’s family, devastated and still searching for answers, continued to seek any clues that might lead to her whereabouts. Her case remains a mystery
If you have information on Lans’s case, please contact any of the following:
Cst. Kelly CatesMedia Relations Officer
Terrace RCMP
Office: 250-638-7400
Email: kelly.cates@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
Online at: https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping
