🚨 Missing Woman in Merritt, British Columbia – Tara Moran, 26 – Last Seen January 31, 2024
The disappearance of Tara Moran, 26, from Merritt, British Columbia, has left her family heartbroken and searching for answers. More than a year later, there is still no trace of her, and the case remains unsolved.
According to police and family, Tara was last seen on January 31, 2024, outside the Merritt shelter and nearby Save-On Foods. She did not own a vehicle or a cell phone at the time, and since that date, there has been no banking activity, phone use, or confirmed sightings.
Her parents, Patrick and Deb Moran, and her sister, Caitlin, have spent months distributing posters, talking to witnesses, and travelling to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, fearing she may have made her way there. But despite tireless efforts, no credible leads have surfaced.
📌 Description
- Name: Tara Moran
- Age at Disappearance: 26
- Gender: Female
- Height: 5’11” (180 cm)
- Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
- Hair: Black, usually worn in pigtails
- Eyes: Hazel
- Tattoo: Small black heart behind her right ear
- Build: Slim
- Last Seen: January 31, 2024, near the Merritt shelter and Save-On Foods
🕯️ A Family Still Searching for Answers
Tara’s disappearance came after several difficult years. She had been living at a Merritt shelter and struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Despite her challenges, Tara remained close to her parents and was in periodic contact with her family. Her sister Caitlin described her as “friendly, outgoing, and deserving of help.”
“We really want her to come back home and accept help,” Caitlin shared. “Give her the life she deserves.”
The Moran family had been trying for months to convince Tara to enter treatment. Her parents spoke with her frequently, arranging interventions and offering placement at rehabilitation facilities on Vancouver Island. But each attempt to stabilize her situation ended with Tara withdrawing further.
Her father Patrick recalls that in the weeks before she disappeared, Tara seemed distant and detached: “There was a wall up there. It was like she was trying, but it was hard to reach her.”
🚗 Last Known Movements
On January 31, 2024, Tara was last confirmed seen near the Merritt shelter, where she had been living intermittently, and the nearby Save-On Foods. The following day, her parents realized something was wrong when there was no contact, and police were notified soon after.
RCMP launched a search and canvassed the area, but no sign of Tara or her belongings was found. Investigators later confirmed that there was no activity on her bank account, medical records, or any government interactions after that date — suggesting she may have vanished voluntarily or under concerning circumstances.
🗺️ Expanding the Search
With no progress in Merritt, Tara’s family expanded their efforts. Her sister Caitlin and father Patrick travelled to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, visiting shelters, safe injection sites, and food kitchens, hoping to find someone who had seen her.
“We went to all the safe sites and women’s shelters,” Caitlin explained. “We put posters up in high-traffic areas, but nobody had seen her.”
The family has since continued spreading awareness across British Columbia, distributing posters in Kelowna, Kamloops, and Vancouver. Their hope is that someone will recognize Tara and come forward with information.
💬 A Family’s Emotional Toll
Tara’s disappearance has taken a heavy emotional toll on her loved ones. Her father Patrick describes the experience as a mix of acceptance and heartbreak:
“On one level, we’ve learned to live with it. On another, it rips the hell out of you.”
Her mother Deb continues to advocate for answers: “We just want to know if she’s alive and safe. That’s all we want to know. She’s a lovely person, a lovely girl, and we love her.”
The family remains united in their message: Tara deserves to be found, and her struggles do not define her worth.
📞 How to Help
Anyone with information about Tara Moran’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police department or the Merritt RCMP.
Anonymous tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submitting a secure tip online at CrimeStoppers.ca.
🔗 Sources
- RCMP Missing Persons Case #2024008441
- Vancouver Is Awesome – Family Pleads for Tara to Come Home
- CFJC Today – “Into Thin Air” Feature
- CFJC Today – Family Pleads for Information
- Facebook Group – Help Find Tara Moran
👉 What You Can Do
Please share this post to raise awareness about Tara’s case. Even the smallest piece of information could help provide answers to a family who has waited far too long for closure.
🌐 Visit CanadaMissing.ca for more cold cases and ongoing missing person investigations in Canada.
💖 Support our work: Donate here | 📧 Join our newsletter
