Australian Woman Missing for Two Weeks in Canadian National Park
Caitlin Cassidy
Denise Ann Williams, 62, has been missing since April 28 while hiking in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Her rental car was found at the Acadian Trail entrance, and authorities are conducting air and ground searches. Temperatures in the park can drop to -5°C at night, with wildlife posing a potential threat.
The search continues for a 62-year-old Australian woman who has been missing since April 28 while hiking in a Canadian national park.
Denise Ann Williams was last heard from by her family on April 15, when she told relatives she was traveling to Chéticamp, a fishing village on the western coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
Her rental car, a Nissan Sentra, was discovered at the Parks Canada visitor center, the starting point for the Acadian Trail—an 8.4 km loop in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
A local resident posted on social media that they “walk in the park every day and her car hasn’t moved for about two weeks.”
The park stretches along a rugged coastline known for moose, coyotes, and black bears. The Acadian Trail is described on the website as a “moderate” hike with “increasing elevation and some short steep sections.” The estimated completion time is three to four hours. Cell service in the park is unreliable.
“Hike with friends and a sturdy stick,” the website advises. “If you decide to go alone, let someone know where you plan to go.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Inverness County said they received a call around 9:30 a.m. local time on April 28 reporting that Williams was missing. They released her photo to seek public assistance, along with a physical description: “162 cm tall, shoulder-length, gray-blonde hair.” Police said Williams is believed to be wearing a dark winter jacket, a powder-blue toque with the word “Antarctica,” an orange and blue scarf, and glasses.
Authorities say air and ground search efforts continued through Friday, involving the RCMP, the Natural Resources Department’s aviation service, canine units, multiple search and rescue teams, and various other agencies supporting police.
Nova Scotia RCMP Corporal Mandy Edwards told ABC, Australia’s national broadcaster, that wildlife can be a danger in the area this time of year, as bears emerge from hibernation into mating season. “Hopefully, she encountered some people along the way who might recognize her from the released photo,” she said. “Our search teams will examine clues and public messages to guide the search.”
Daytime temperatures in the park range from 0°C to 14°C, dropping to -5°C at night, with some remaining snow.
