Murder investigation into missing Lake Country woman marks 35th year

It’s been 35 years since a 34-year-old Lake Country mother of three young daughters went missing and her remains were discovered.

To mark sombre anniversary investigators have issued an appeal to the public for information that could help them solve Elsie Friesen’s murder.

“We believe there are individuals who may have information, no matter how small it may seem, that could assist in bringing resolution to this investigation,” West Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Const. Ash Puri said in a media release issued today, May 19.

Friesen was reported missing by her family on April 8, 1989 after several days without contact with her. Her remains were found in 1991 and a homicide infestation began. No arrests have been made.

She lived on Lodge Road in Winfield a neighbourhood in the community now called Lake Country.

RCMP retraced her movements in the days before she went missing.

March 31, 1989

A neighbour saw Friesen walking along Lodge Road and offered her ride. 

Then while travelling she appeared to recognize the driver of a white, dusty and dirty tractor-trailer with a sleeper cab near Woodsdale Road and waved excitedly as if she knew him. She got into the car carrier’s tractor unit on the passenger side.

The truck driver was a 30 to 35-year-old old Caucasian man with short dark hair and several day’s growth of stubble on his face.

April 3, 1989

A neighbour saw Friesen walk away from her home on Lodge Road and south along nearby railway tracks.

She was seen at the Pinsetter Lounge in Winfield with a group of people later that evening and she was seen near Woods Lake Story between 9:30 and 10 p.m. where someone she knew gave her a ride home.

The ride home from the lounge was the last confirmed sighting of Friesen.

April 4, 1989

Another neighbour — in an unconfirmed report — told police they saw her hitchhiking at around 9 a.m., April 4, 1989 on Lodge Road while wearing rust-coloured pants, possibly a blue jacket and was with a heavy-set woman.

After several days with no contact with Friesen, her family reported her missing.

“Time has not diminished our commitment to finding answers for Elsie’s family,” Const. Puri said.

If you have any information about the disappearance or death of Elsie Friesen, call West Kelowna RCMP at 250‑768‑2880 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑TIPS (8477).