New picture released of missing B.C. grandmother whose van was found on logging road

A new photo has been released by police as the search for a missing 82-year-old woman last seen five days ago in Aldergrove becomes more urgent.

Jane Whitehouse’s vehicle was found in a remote area near Harrison Lake Sunday, spotted on the Harrison East Forest Service Road at a washout.

On Tuesday night, the Langley RCMP released a new surveillance image showing what the elderly grandmother was wearing before she disappeared Friday — a thigh-length green jacket, a dark sweater with white stripes, and dark pants.

Police indicate she was last seen at 10:10 a.m. on Oct. 25 in Aldergrove.

What happened between then and when her grey Dodge Caravan was found abandoned almost 120 kilometres away is a mystery.

Whitehouse is around 5’1″ tall and has grey-blonde hair.

“I have just talked to Search and Rescue. They had so many people out there looking for my mom. They also had a drone flying overhead to search for her,” reads a Facebook post on Monday attributed to Whitehouse’s daughter Eileen Antosh.

“Unfortunately, they did not find her, but did find her other shoe. Mom has been out in the elements now for an extensive amount of time. Please continue to pray for her, for good weather tomorrow as they begin to search again.”

Late Tuesday, Antosh posted an update suggesting there had been no other signs of her mother.

“The search grid has gotten wider and they will continue searching until dark.”

Langley RCMP Corp. Zynal Sharoom tells 1130 NewsRadio that the search for Whitehouse is being spearheaded by the Kent Harrison Search and Rescue team, who have local area expertise.

“We are into day five now, since she was last seen, so we are deeply concerned about Jane’s well-being, considering the weather elements with rain and getting cold nowadays. So, search efforts are going to continue,” Sharoom said Wednesday.

“At this point in time, we’re pleading with anyone who can look at the photograph that we circulated yesterday on the Langley RCMP newsroom and the Facebook page, to see if you recognize Jane from anywhere from Friday to now, and if you’ve seen her, please get in touch with our investigators,” he explained.

Sharoom says Mounties continue to follow up on tips and possible sightings.

“The tips we’re getting, the individuals phoning into the Langley RCMP, they’re providing information. … We are really appreciative of the support that we’re getting from the public on our social media platforms, as they are disseminating it and sharing it, which is growing the awareness in the Fraser Valley,” he added.

“If you’ve seen anything, if you’ve heard from Jane, or if you know Jane, please let us know. Give us a call, as this is completely out of character for her to not be in touch with family for this long.”

Anyone with information about Whitehouse’ whereabouts is urged to call their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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