A devastating landslide along a British Columbia highway has turned a dangerous stretch of road into the scene of a heartbreaking search—and left families waiting for answers. Four people have now been confirmed dead, while one man remains missing after a massive mudslide swept across Highway 99 near Lillooet.
The tragedy began on November 15, when the landslide struck Duffey Lake Road, south of Lillooet, following a period of destructive rainfall, flooding and unstable conditions.
In the days that followed, search crews recovered the body of a woman, followed by three men. The discoveries brought unbearable grief to multiple families, but the search for another missing man continued despite increasingly difficult conditions.
B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said authorities ultimately exhausted the available search options. Attempts on Friday to locate the fourth missing man were unsuccessful, as dangerous weather and challenging terrain continued to hamper operations.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said the conditions at the site made the search extremely difficult. With the active search now concluded, officials are discussing what steps may be possible next.
Meanwhile, Highway 99 remains closed, with no reopening date announced.
For the families who have lost loved ones—and for the family still waiting for news—the tragedy is far from over. Lapointe offered condolences and said the BC Coroners Service would work to establish what happened and, where possible, identify measures that could help prevent similar disasters in the future.
As the highway remains buried beneath the consequences of extreme weather, the community is left with grief, unanswered questions, and one family still desperately hoping for closure.