The search for a 25-year-old Cree woman from Kawacatoose First Nation missing since 2020 has come to a tragic end.
Chelsea Poorman had been missing since September 6, 2020. She was 24 when she was reported missing and was last seen by a family member two days earlier on Granville Street.
Her family organized a vigil walk to raise awareness about her disappearance in March 2021 and offered a $10,000 reward for any information that would lead to her location.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says her remains were discovered outside an empty house in Shaughnessy late last month.
"This is not the outcome anyone wanted. We always hoped Chelsea would be found alive, and our sympathies go out to everyone who knew Chelsea, loved her, and hoped she would come home safely,” said VPD spokesperson Steve Addison.
VPD's Missing Persons Unit launched an investigation that was later turned over to the Major Crime Section, explains a VPD news release. A senior investigation team continued to look for Chelsea until she was discovered on April 22 by contractors working at a vacant house near Granville Street and West 37th Avenue.
The VPD has received the finding from the BC Coroners Service investigation.
"Investigators believe Chelsea likely died on the property the night she disappeared or shortly thereafter, but went undiscovered because the house has been vacant for years," said police.
According to the VPD, the death is not suspicious.
VPD investigators with some of Chelsea's family members Friday (May 6) to inform them that her remains had been found and to update them on the findings.
