Virginia Sampare
Virginia Sampare disappeared on October 14, 1971, after leaving her family home in Gitsegukla, British Columbia. She was reportedly grieving the recent death of her boyfriend and was described as emotionally distressed on the night she vanished. More than five decades later, her disappearance remains unsolved.
According to family members, Virginia was at her mother’s house between 10:00 and 11:00 p.m. Her sister-in-law, Violet, later recalled that Virginia emerged from the kitchen appearing to have been crying. When Violet asked what was wrong, Virginia said nothing and quietly walked out of the house. Violet attempted to follow her, but her mother-in-law reassured her, saying, “She’ll come back.”
Virginia’s cousin, Alvin, is believed to have been the last person to see her. The two had been walking along Highway 16 near Gitsegukla. Alvin left briefly to retrieve either a jacket or a bicycle, intending to catch up with her. He believed Virginia was heading toward a nearby store near the railway overpass. When he returned, he reportedly heard a vehicle door close, but Virginia had disappeared without a trace.
Although the weather was cold that evening, Virginia had left her jacket at home. There is no public information indicating what personal belongings, if any, she was carrying when she disappeared.
The following morning, Virginia’s mother reported her missing to the Gitsegukla Indian Band office. She was mistakenly told that a waiting period was required before the disappearance could be reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Family members first checked with relatives in South Hazelton, Kitimat, and Kispiox, but no one had seen or heard from Virginia.
On October 16, 1971, the RCMP officially accepted a missing person report and began interviewing relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Investigators confirmed that no one had seen Virginia after Alvin’s encounter with her along Highway 16.
An extensive search followed. Volunteers, civil defence personnel, and RCMP officers searched the dense brush surrounding the area where Virginia was last seen. A helicopter joined the operation on October 27, expanding the search from the air. Despite these efforts, no evidence of Virginia was found, and the official search was called off on October 28, 1971.
Virginia Sampare’s disappearance is one of British Columbia’s oldest unresolved missing person cases and is often discussed in connection with the many unsolved disappearances that have occurred along Highway 16, commonly known as the Highway of Tears. Her family has continued to seek answers and hopes that someone with information will eventually come forward to help solve the mystery of what happened to her.
Missing since;October 14, 1971
Year of birth;1953
Age at disappearance;18
Gender;Female
Bio group;Indigenous
Eye colour;Brown
Hair;Black
Height;163cm / 5ft 4in
Weight;66kg / 146lb
Complexion;Dark
Pants;Corduroy, Brown
Shirt;Cotton, Short sleeve navy blue shirt
Shoes;Leather, Black, medium heels
