In the fall of 1995, 19-year-old Lana Patricia Derrick, a bright and outgoing forestry student, vanished while visiting her family in Terrace, British Columbia, for the Thanksgiving weekend. A member of the Gitanyow First Nation, Lana was known for her love of the outdoors and for being a prankster who easily made friends. She was studying at Northwest Community College in Houston and had caught a ride to her parents' home on Friday, October 6, 1995.
After dropping off her belongings, she went into town to spend time with friends. The evening included stops at a few local spots, including Gigi's Pub and a Tim Horton's. The last confirmed sighting of Lana was in the early morning hours of October 7, 1995. Around 3:00 a.m., she visited her stepsister, Clarice, to pick up some money her father had left for her. She invited Clarice to a party, but her stepsister, being half-asleep, declined.
When Lana didn't show up for Thanksgiving dinner, her family grew concerned and reported her missing. Initially, their concerns were reportedly downplayed by police, who suggested she might be out with friends. This delay in a formal investigation was a source of frustration for her family, who, along with friends and community members, began their own searches. About a month after she disappeared, a witness came forward stating they had seen Lana at a Petro-Canada gas station in Thornhill, just across the river from Terrace, at approximately 3:30 a.m. on the morning she went missing. The witness, who later underwent a hypnosis session, reported seeing Lana get into a blue car with two men. Composite sketches of these two individuals were released in early 1996, but unfortunately, the lead did not develop further. The security footage from the gas station from that night had already been taped over, leaving no video evidence to corroborate the witness's account.
Lana's disappearance is one of the many unsolved cases along British Columbia's Highway 16, tragically known as the Highway of Tears. Her case is part of the RCMP's E-PANA task force, which was established to investigate a series of unsolved murders and disappearances with connections to the highway. Over the years, Lana's family has held vigils and marches to keep her memory alive and to continue the call for answers. The investigation into what happened to Lana Derrick has faced numerous challenges, including the initial delay in the police search and the lack of physical evidence. The sighting at the gas station remains a significant but unconfirmed piece of the puzzle, leaving her loved ones to wonder about the two unidentified men. The case remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for her family and community, highlighting the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.Last Seen: Oct 7, 1995
