Abbotsford parents living their worst nightmare as daughter disappears in Costa Rica

PLAYA DEL HERMOSA, Costa Rica (NEWS 1130) — It’s been six weeks since an Abbotsford family started searching for their loved one in Costa Rica, after Jaclyn (Jackie) Ferland-Smith disappeared in August.

Ferland-Smith was last seen on Aug. 17 by her husband, and after days without any answers, her parents reached out to the Abbotsford Police Department for help.

The family then flew to Costa Rica to search, and have remained in the country seeking answers.

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The 40-year-old has lived in the oceanside community of Playa Del Hermosa with her Canadian husband for the last two years.

Ferland-Smith worked as a Canadian military training officer and Abbotsford police say she may have contacts across Canada and around the world. Anyone who may have spoken with her is urged to contact police.

She often goes by ‘Jackie’ and is described as Caucasian, 5’8′ tall, and weighs 141lbs. She has light brown shoulder length hair, green eyes, and is very physically fit.

“The Abbotsford Police Missing Person Investigator will continue to assist Jaclyn’s parents and will liaise with the RCMP Regional Liaison Officer for Costa Rica and the BC Missing Person Center. A missing person report has been filed with the Costa Rica Judicial Police and they are actively investigating,” the department wrote in a release earlier this week.

Friends and family have also taken their efforts online through a Facebook group Search for Jaclyn where they hope to reach more people. (Courtesy: Search for Jaclyn/Facebook)

Anyone with information on Ferland-Smith’s whereabouts is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225.