Penticton RCMP hoping someone knows something about decades-old unsolved homicide

PENTICTON – In the third of six weekly instalments, Penticton RCMP continue to seek the public’s assistance in providing clues to help resolve cold cases in the area.

RCMP say on June 24, 1974 a woman's body was discovered approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Penticton near Chute Lake Road.

The adult woman’s body was found down an embankment beside an isolated narrow dirt road in a heavily wooded area.

Investigators said the body had been there for several months before it was found and was in an advanced stage of decomposition.

The woman was described as Caucasian, 18 to 29 years old, 5'7" inches tall and 140 to 150 lbs. with long, light brown hair.

Police say her teeth were in good condition with high quality fillings that were done within two or three years of her death. She also had minor orthodontic work done at a younger age.

Extensive investigation by police and the B.C. Coroners Service has failed to determine the woman’s identity, according to an RCMP media release. Police are appealing to the public for any information that may help them identify the woman or determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

Anyone who may have information about this investigation is asked to contact the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police have previously recounted the unsolved case of an infant found near Skaha Lake in 1982, and prior to that, another case of woman's remains found in the Chute Lake area in 1991.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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