Royal Canadian Mounted Police have confirmed a new sighting of 28-year-old Ontario paramedic Kayla Boisvert, who went missing after attending the Shambhala Music Festival near Salmo, British Columbia.
Boisvert was reported missing on July 28 after last being seen by festivalgoers around 2:15 a. m.
on July 27. She missed her scheduled flight home to Ontario, prompting friends and family to notify authorities.
Investigators received a tip confirming she was seen south of Salmo at approximately 8:30 p. m.
on July 29.
Search and rescue personnel joined police and festival organizers to comb the grounds and surrounding West Kootenay region.
Mounties released photographs from the July 29 sighting to assist in tracing her path.
"Investigators are continuing to work to determine how Kayla travelled to the location south of Salmo and to establish her movements following the sighting," said RCMP officers on Thursday.
Police noted that community members have actively circulated missing person flyers online during the search effort.
"There has been significant sharing of information on social media; however, it remains important that anyone with firsthand information contact police directly and not rely solely on social media posts," said RCMP officials.
Anyone with information regarding Boisvert's location is urged to contact the Salmo RCMP at 250-357-2212 or reach out to local law enforcement.
Timeline of Disappearance
A widely shared missing-person poster detailed the timeline preceding her disappearance during the multi-day electronic music event at Salmo River Ranch.
"She has not been heard from and has now missed her scheduled flight home to Ontario," the post reads.
The post detailed her movements with friends prior to her disappearance.
"According to information shared by her friend, Kayla was with her group at the Pagoda stage for the beginning of Kai Wachi’s set at approximately 12:15 a.
m. on Monday, July 27.
The group later moved to the Village stage for Ganja White Night at around 1 a. m.
," it states.
The poster indicated that communication ceased shortly after the group separated.
"A friend received the last known text message from her at around 3 a. m.
It remains unclear exactly when or where she became separated from her group."
Boisvert is described as 183 cm (six feet) tall with brown eyes and black hair styled in long, blonde braids.
She was last seen wearing an oversized graphic T-shirt, a blue headscarf, and multicoloured scarves.
Her employer, Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services, addressed the public interest surrounding the missing team member.
"We recognize the public interest in this matter; however, we must respect the privacy of our employees and their families," Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Chief Carl Bowker told The Intelligencer via email.
Bowker stressed that official agencies are handling the situation.
"As such, we are unable to comment on individual employment matters beyond what has been publicly released by the appropriate authorities."
"Our thoughts remain with all those affected," Bowker added.
An online fundraising initiative raised over $20,000—surpassing its $10,000 target—to fund travel expenses for her family members to join search operations in B.
C. Any remaining funds are designated for Salmo search and rescue teams.
Organizers of the Shambhala Music Festival stated they are cooperating fully with authorities.
"We appreciate the concern, support, and offers of assistance we have received from our community," festival organizers wrote Wednesday in an online post.
"Our team is working closely with the RCMP and all responding public safety agencies and continues to provide every assistance available to support the ongoing search."
