In the fall of 2007, a young Indigenous woman named Lorilee Mae Francis, 23 years old at the time, was last seen in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Originally from Beaver River First Nation, Lorilee was a mother of two who was known by her brother as a kind, lovable, and happy person. She had been facing struggles with addiction around the time of her disappearance.
Her family grew deeply concerned when she didn't make her customary phone call during the Christmas season, a tradition she always kept. This uncharacteristic silence prompted them to report her missing in December 2007. The last confirmed sighting of Lorilee was in October of that same year.
Authorities in Grande Prairie began an investigation into Lorilee's disappearance, considering the possibility that she was leading a 'high-risk lifestyle,' which could have included involvement in sex work, though this was never confirmed. Her case was also brought to the attention of Project KARE, a special RCMP task force dedicated to investigating cases of missing and murdered vulnerable persons in Alberta. Despite the official investigation, Lorilee's family felt a frustrating lack of progress and support. The initial hope that she may have simply moved away without notifying anyone began to fade as the months turned into years with no word from her.
Years after she was last seen, a flicker of hope emerged in 2020 when a man contacted Lorilee's family, claiming to have met a woman with the last name Francis in Montreal back in 2015 who said she was from Alberta. Fueled by this new lead, Lorilee's brothers and cousins traveled to Montreal, distributing missing person posters and searching in areas frequented by the city's urban Indigenous population. They received several tips from people who believed they recognized Lorilee from her photo, including an elderly woman. However, their attempts to get assistance from the local police were met with disinterest, and the promising leads ultimately did not result in finding Lorilee. The disappearance of Lorilee Mae Francis remains an open and unresolved case, a painful testament to the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Her family continues to wait for answers, holding onto the memory of a cherished daughter, sister, and mother who vanished without a trace.Last Seen: Oct 20, 2007
