By IANS,
London : Mystery surrounds one of the remotest stretches of highway in Canada after nearly 50 women have gone missing in past 30 years, it was reported here.
Many believe the disappearances along Highway 16, which runs between Prince George and Prince Rupert in British Columbia, are the work of a serial killer who preys on young women, Daily Mail reported Saturday. The road has been dubbed the Highway of Tears.
But police have never identified a suspect in the case, and some say the women were simply victims of Canada’s harsh and remote wilderness.
Most recently, 20-year-old Madison Scott vanished near the infamous road May 28, 2011 after attending a party. Police located her tent and truck, but the young woman remains missing.
A year later, Madison’s parents are still struggling to cope with her disappearance and are offering $100,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Although authorities say the number of women who have gone missing along the stretch of road stands at 18, aboriginal leaders say it is closer to 43.
Police have said that eight of the disappearances in particular appear to have been linked, and may be the work of one individual.
The sole breakthrough in the mysterious case came in April last year, when police released a sketch of an elderly man who attempted to kidnap a 20-year-old woman near Highway 16 – however, he has not been found, the Mail said.
Many of the women who have gone missing along the highway live in aboriginal communities and use hitchhiking as a mode of transport, which authorities said could have made them easy targets.