Richard Kelly Little Missing Person Case

In the spring of 1997, a 28-year-old Indigenous man named Richard Kelly Little, who was also known to be a transgender woman and went by the name Kellie, vanished from British Columbia. Kellie was last seen in April or May of that year, with some sources indicating the date as April 23rd or 24th, while others state May 23rd. Her last known whereabouts were at a residence in Port Coquitlam, and she was also known to frequent Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to work. Kellie was reported missing by her landlady, who grew concerned after Kellie failed to return home, which was considered unusual as she would not have willingly neglected her beloved pet cat. At the time of her disappearance, Kellie was described as being 5'3' tall and weighing approximately 119 pounds, with a slender build, long brown hair, and brown eyes.

Kellie’s life was marked by considerable hardship from a very young age. Born in Campbell River, B.C., she and her siblings were removed from their mother's care and placed in the foster care system when she was just three years old. She faced numerous physical health challenges, including a cleft palate, having only one kidney, a jaw deformity that necessitated screws, and severe hearing loss. These difficulties were compounded by a troubled youth, during which she attempted suicide at the age of 15 and later spent time in jail as an adult. At some point, she began to live as a woman, dressing in women's clothing and taking hormones.

The circumstances surrounding Kellie's disappearance are deeply concerning. In April 1997, it is reported that she stayed overnight with a friend of Robert Pickton before heading to downtown Vancouver. She was never seen or heard from again. Her case is classified as an endangered missing person, and despite the passage of time, there has been no resolution. The investigation into her disappearance remains open, with the Agassiz RCMP being the primary investigating agency. Her case is a somber reminder of the many unsolved cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people in Canada. Kellie's story is one of a vulnerable individual facing immense personal struggles whose life was tragically cut short, leaving behind unanswered questions for her loved ones and community.
Last Seen: Apr 24, 1997

Canada's Missing - RCMP case 2014002591