Jaqueline McDermott’s body found by Search and Rescue

The body of 22-year-old Jaqueline McDermott has been located by Search and Rescue teams.

McDermott was reported missing last week, Oct. 1 and was last seen on Highway 97C between Merritt and Logan Lake on the same morning. Her body was found yesterday Oct. 8.

A Facebook page to find McDermott was set up a few days ago but it has since become a memorial page.

“Thank you for the outpouring of support we have received in our search for Jaqui,” read a post on the page this morning, Oct. 9. “We are devastated to report that her body was found yesterday after exhaustive searches by the B.C. Search and Rescue teams."

“Our hearts are forever shattered. Please respect our privacy as we learn how to live in a world without her. Please keep her in your hearts.”

McDermott had been out west for six months since she travelled across the country in a retrofitted van from her home in Kitchener, Ontario.

READ MORE: Missing woman Jaqueline McDermott: An adventurous tattoo artist from Ontario

She was in Merritt at the end of September to attend a yoga retreat but left early.

Her van was later found by police abandoned on Highway 97C between Merritt and Logan Lake.

Search and rescue teams from Kamloops, Logan Lake and Merritt worked tirelessly to find McDermott since her disappearance.  

"There are not a lot of details we give out on such matters and we follow with the family's privacy," said B.C. RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Chris Manseau. "I can confirm the body of the deceased was found and at this point it is not being considered suspicious."

– This story was updated at 9:51 a.m. to include a comment from the RCMP.

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