Search resumes for woman who went missing at Sooke Potholes in December

The Sooke RCMP are renewing the search for missing woman Melissa McDevitt after new information surfaced recently.

In response to the new lead, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue are re-deploying to a concentrated area of interest that had been previously searched in December 2022.

Search and Rescue efforts are planned to begin again this Friday.

On December 10, 2022, McDevitt was reported missing to police. Later that day, her vehicle was located at the Charters River / Hatchery parking lot on Sooke River Road.

Over a nine-day period, search and rescue led a significant effort that involved 17 agencies and was supported by the Sooke RCMP, RCMP Police Dog Services and RCMP Air Services.

Unfortunately, Melissa was not found and the search was suspended on December 19, 2022.

Since then, the Sooke RCMP have maintained an active missing persons investigation and remained in close contact with Melissa’s family.

And, even though the official search was suspended, hikers in the area have continued to look for Melissa along the many trails in the area.

“There has been an outpouring of support for Melissa and her family since she went missing,” says Acting Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Kevin Shaw.

“The RCMP and Melissa’s family sincerely appreciate the public’s assistance and continued efforts to find Melissa to this point. Given the specialized and focussed nature of the renewed search efforts however, we are asking people to please avoid the area this weekend to accommodate Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue efforts.”

Anyone with information on Melissa McDevitt’s disappearance is asked to call the Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241.