DNA identifies remains as those of missing Kamloops woman

NEWS/ POLICE — DNA testing has confirmed skeletal remains found in the White Lake area in June are those of a  Kamloops woman missing since last September.

Kamloops Serious Crime Unit, in conjunction with the B.C. Coroner Service, positively identified the skeletal remains found on June 1 as those of 26-year-old Samantha Paul of Kamloops.

An extensive investigation began when Paul was reported missing to Kamloops RCMP on Sept. 9, 2013, with dozens of leads followed. Cpl. Cheryl Bush said today the seious crime unit will intensify its investigation into the death now that positive identification has been made.

She said there’s no indication of foul play but it hasn’t been ruled out. “An extensive search is underway in the area where the remains were located in effort to gather further evidence,” she said.

Police are asking local residents in the Campbell Lake and White Lake areas if they can remember anything that seemed suspicious or out of place during the time following Paul’s disappearance in September.

“There may be a small detail out there that could prove valuable in this investigation.”

Anyone with information relating to the disappearance of Samantha Paul is asked to call the Kamloops detachment at 250-828-3000.

 

 

Cpl. Cheryl Bush

Kamloops RCMP