The Calgary Police have confirmed that the human remains discovered in Banff National Park last week belong to Vida Smith, a 69-year-old woman from Chestermere who went missing in the summer of 2020.
Smith was reported missing by her family after she failed to return home following an appointment in northeast Calgary on July 21, 2020. Despite recovering her vehicle, authorities were unable to locate her.
In connection with Smith’s death, the police have already apprehended a suspect. Kevin Barton, also known as Chris Lee, was charged with one count of manslaughter on July 31, 2020, and was subsequently convicted in November 2022 after a two-week trial.
The police received information about the possible whereabouts of Smith’s remains in October 2022. However, due to adverse weather conditions and challenging terrain, the search could not be conducted until recently.
On May 9, near a rest stop off the eastbound Trans-Canada Highway, east of Banff, the remains of Vida Smith were discovered.
The investigation into her disappearance and death continues, and the authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
