Image: Missing: Jane Whitehouse via Facebook / The daughter of Jane Whitehouse (pictured) says the search for the missing 82-year-old woman has been suspended, but the case itself remains active, roughly two weeks after she went missing. Over 1,000 hours of manpower went into searches and associated planning, but Whitehouse has not been located. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Missing woman

Family of missing woman says RCMP and SAR believe she ‘likely fell’ into a swollen creek

Nov 7, 2024 | 2:12 PM

HARRISON — The daughter of Jane Whitehouse says the search for the missing 82-year-old woman has been suspended, but the case itself remains active, roughly two weeks after she went missing.

According to a statement from Eileen Antosh that was released by Melanie Sora through a Facebook group entitled “Missing: Jane Whitehouse”, the family of Jane Whitehouse met with search and rescue personnel and Langley RCMP yesterday for what is being described as an “in-depth” review of the case. Details of each search component were reviewed on a topographical map where Jane’s van was located.

Whitehouse went missing on Friday, October 25. Her minivan was found just off Harrison East Forest Service Road. Investigators obtained video surveillance footage which placed the grey Dodge Caravan that Jane Whitehouse was associated to on Hicks Lake Road, northeast of Harrison Hot Springs, on October 25, 2024 at approximately 4:10 p.m. that day.

Antosh, speaking on behalf of the family, reports over 1,000 hours of manpower involving searches and associated planning were invested into the rescue effort, including helicopters, drones with forward-looking infrared and search dogs.

“SAR went over every possible route Jane could have traveled and covered many kilometers,” the statement from Antosh stated. “No heat signatures or scent were ever picked up. This, coupled with the fact that one of Jane’s shoes was found by the van and the other further along the track (the spur road that is a narrow offshoot of the main forest service road) along a steep precipice, has drawn the conclusion by both RCMP and SAR that Jane most likely slipped into the swollen waters of the creek and was carried further down.”

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The family says in the remote chance that she didn’t go into the waters, she most likely would have tried to find shelter in some underbrush and would have succumbed to hypothermia. She has not been found.

“The chance of her surviving the fall into icy waters is pretty much non-existent,” the family said through Antosh’s statement. “This is high altitude in the mountains with winter weather setting in. There’s snow and it’s now too dangerous to try to locate her.:

The family confirmed that the search has been suspended but the case is not closed. Search efforts will resume in the summer once the water levels have diminished and it’s safer to do a recovery.

The family thanked Langley RCMP and Kent/Agassiz RCMP Constables Amjad, Newman and Price, and Corporal Shippit, as well as Neil and Anita from SAR, including Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue Society, Chilliwack Search and Rescue, Mission Search and Rescue Society, Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, Coquitlam Search and Rescue and Hope Volunteer Search and Rescue.

“Their compassion, hard work and diligence in the investigation and search as well as assisting the family is greatly appreciated,” the statement read.

The family acknowledged R.L. Dakin, Lisa Johannes Bisschop and Melanie Sora for maintaining the aforementioned Facebook group, handling media inquiries, pooling resources and engaging the public, resulting in not only tips on sightings of Jane, but pulling together community support that they had not known before.

“The experience of R.L. and Lisa should truly be recognized as managing something so dynamic can be stressful and challenging,” the family said. “With their skills and knowledge, tips, leads, requests and ideas were streamlined efficiently and effectively.”

The family also extended heartfelt thanks to people who reached out with messages of support and encouragement during an extraordinarily difficult time.

“The family would like to thank everyone who engaged in this group and privately with thoughts, prayers, support and compassion,” the family said. “Eileen said she has personally felt the power of community at this difficult time and truly appreciates the sharing of information to keep the search for active for Jane.”

Now that the search has been suspended, the family says they are concerned that people will attempt to continue scouring the treacherous mountainside trying to locate Whitehouse.

“The family is at peace with where things are now and with the recovery efforts slated to resume in the summer, we don’t want to see anyone injured or worse in attempts to find Jane,” the family said. “If anyone is in the area, though, and they do see something unusual or of curiosity, please report it to the RCMP and do not touch anything. This is the last update for now. Much appreciation to you from all of us admin’ing this group. You have been amazing in your support and compassion.”