🚨 Missing Woman Cold Case in Quesnel, British Columbia – Caitlyn Avril Murray, 21 – Last Seen September 30, 2013
On the night of September 30, 2013, Caitlyn Avril Murray, only 21 years old, vanished in Quesnel, British Columbia. Her sudden disappearance left her family, friends, and the wider community searching for answers that, more than a decade later, have yet to be found.
Caitlyn was last seen at around 12:45 a.m. when surveillance cameras captured her parking her car near the Fraser Bridge Inn in West Quesnel. The footage then showed her walking toward the historic footbridge that spans the Fraser River. That was the last confirmed sighting of her. Her car was later discovered nearby with no keys, phone, or personal belongings inside.
Immediately after her disappearance, Quesnel RCMP, Search and Rescue teams, RCMP Air Services, and dozens of volunteers launched an extensive search effort. They combed the Fraser River, riverbanks, local parks, and wooded areas. Drones, search dogs, and boats were deployed, but no trace of Caitlyn was ever found. The lack of physical evidence has haunted the investigation ever since.
📌 Description
- Name: Caitlyn Avril Murray
- Age at Disappearance: 21
- Date of Birth: September 22, 1992
- Height: 5’0” (152 cm)
- Weight: 120 lbs (54 kg)
- Build: Slim
- Hair: Blonde
- Eyes: Blue
- Clothing Last Seen Wearing: Black Lululemon yoga pants, blue t-shirt, hoodie
📖 The Night Caitlyn Disappeared
In the hours before she went missing, Caitlyn sent concerning text messages to friends, saying she was thinking about jumping from the bridge. Roughly 45 minutes later, however, she sent another message telling them she was simply tired and heading home. These conflicting messages have become a critical part of the mystery surrounding her case.
The bridge itself adds to the uncertainty. While one camera captured her approaching the bridge, the camera at the center of the structure was not working that night. This technical failure means there is no way to know for certain whether Caitlyn crossed, returned, or encountered someone along the way.
🕵️♀️ Theories and Family Concerns
Investigators initially leaned toward the theory of suicide, given Caitlyn’s distress after a breakup and her text messages. They suggested she may have jumped into the Fraser River. But her family has always disputed this. They point out that individuals who died by jumping from that bridge were typically found within 10 days. Despite the searches, Caitlyn’s body was never recovered.
Her family also highlights another possibility: foul play. Caitlyn had recently left an abusive relationship, and her ex-partner had been charged with assault shortly before she went missing. Those charges were dropped after her disappearance. Caitlyn’s family questions whether someone might have harmed her that night — either on the bridge or elsewhere. They stress that Caitlyn had been excited about her future and had just graduated as a healthcare aide, making it unlikely she would have chosen to end her life.
💜 Family and Community Response
Caitlyn’s disappearance devastated her family. Her mother, Carmen Carr, has been a tireless advocate for keeping her daughter’s story alive, even creating a dedicated Facebook page for updates and awareness. Every year, on the anniversary of her disappearance, family, friends, and supporters gather at the footbridge in Quesnel to honor Caitlyn. The bridge is often lit in purple, her favourite color, as a symbol of remembrance and hope.
These gatherings have become not only a memorial but also a community call for justice. Supporters are encouraged to wear purple or light a candle to keep Caitlyn’s memory present, as her family continues to wait for answers.
📞 How to Help
If you have any information on Caitlyn’s disappearance, please contact the Quesnel RCMP Detachment at 250-992-9211. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
🔗 Sources
👉 What You Can Do
By sharing Caitlyn’s case, you can help ensure her story continues to be heard. Cold cases depend on community awareness and tips, and her family continues to hope that someone will come forward with information that could bring closure.
🌐 Visit CanadaMissing.ca for more missing person cold cases across Canada.
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