Tragedy in B.C.: Three Bodies Recovered from Lillooet Mudslide, One Still Missing
Heartbreak continues to unfold near Lillooet, British Columbia, where the bodies of three men have been recovered following a devastating mudslide earlier this week. One person remains missing, according to an update from the RCMP and B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.
The search effort, launched after a massive slide swept across Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—has been relentless. Crews recovered one body on Wednesday and found two more on Thursday, Lapointe confirmed in a statement released Saturday. Despite continued efforts on Friday, search teams were unable to locate the fourth missing man.
Earlier in the week, the body of a woman was discovered at the site, marking the first confirmed fatality from the series of landslides and severe flooding that ravaged southern B.C. in the wake of last weekend’s torrential rains.
With all search avenues now exhausted, officials have concluded active recovery efforts. Discussions are ongoing to determine the best next steps. Meanwhile, authorities are working to identify the deceased and notify their families.
“This has been an incredibly difficult year for all of us in B.C.,” said Lapointe. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families grieving the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved ones, and to those still waiting for answers. Our hearts are with every community affected by these tragedies.”
The search has been hampered by dangerous terrain and relentless weather, according to B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet. The area remains closed to traffic, with no timeline yet for when the highway might reopen.
The November 15 slide struck a section of Highway 99 south of Lillooet, catching several travelers in its path. In total, five individuals were swept away—four remain confirmed or presumed dead.
The B.C. Coroners Service continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths, with a commitment to uncovering the facts and, where possible, issuing recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
