In the early summer of 2006, in the small city of Fort St. John, British Columbia, 45-year-old Shirley Lee Cletheroe vanished. A mother of five, she was a member of the Dease First Nation of the Tahltan Kaska community and was described as a strong and straightforward woman by her loved ones. At the time of her disappearance, she was living with her sister and employed at a local sawmill. Shirley was last seen on either June 9 or June 10, 2006; reports vary on the exact date.
She had attended a backyard barbecue at a house just across the street from where she was staying and simply never came home.
The days and weeks following Shirley's disappearance were filled with frustration and anguish for her family. When her family tried to report her missing the next day, they were initially told they had to wait 48 hours before an investigation could begin. The official investigation was launched by the Fort St. John RCMP on June 17, 2006, after it was confirmed she had not shown up for work or contacted any friends or family. Shirley is described as an Indigenous woman, standing at approximately 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing around 120 to 132 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She wore prescription glasses and had a small scar on the left side of her mouth.
Over the years, the investigation into Shirley's disappearance has been fraught with challenges, leaving her family in a painful state of uncertainty. The case was eventually transferred to the North District RCMP Major Crime Section, and foul play is suspected. Her sister, Bev Cletheroe, has been a tireless advocate, pushing for answers and navigating a system that often felt unresponsive. The case was passed between different investigators and at one point was considered a 'cold case' being handled in Prince George. Despite the passage of time and the numerous investigative hurdles, Shirley's family continues to hold out hope for answers, remembering her as a kind person with a memorable laugh and smile who is deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. The lack of closure has left a profound void in their lives, as they continue to seek any information that might help them understand what happened to Shirley.Last Seen: Jun 9, 2006
