Chelsey Amanda Quaw (who also used the surname Heron) was 29 years old and a member of the Saik’uz First Nation. Chelsey was living in Houston, British Columbia, but had recently moved to Saik’uz First Nation Territory in September to stay with her father and two siblings. Approximately 400 people live on the reserve, which is located about 10 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof, British Columbia.
Chelsey Quaw (CBC News)
Chelsey was educated, hardworking, and employed at a mill in Houston as a level-three first aid attendant. Her mother, Pam Heron, described her daughter as an “independent, educated, and hard-working woman. She’s loving and caring.”
On October 11, 2023, Chelsey was at her father’s house. At around 2 a.m., she left on foot. Her father assumed she was stepping outside for a cigarette and would return shortly, but she never came back. She was wearing blue jeans and a purple winter jacket. When she did not return, her family filed a missing persons report with the Vanderhoof police department.
Her mother considers it highly out of character for Chelsey to leave without informing anyone, as she was usually quick to respond to calls or texts. Her father did not know where she might have gone, as Chelsey had only arrived in the area a few weeks prior to her disappearance and was unfamiliar with many people or places there.
On November 6, 2023, police found Chelsey’s remains in a wooded area off Highway 16 within the Saik’uz Reserve. No further details have been released by the police, and the investigation into the cause of death is ongoing.
UPDATE - December 11, 2023
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia has launched an investigation into possible police inaction related to Chelsey’s disappearance. The IIO is asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or through the iiobc.ca website.
Source: Police action under investigation after missing woman found dead
