Search Suspended for Australian Hiker Missing in Nova Scotia National Park
Canadian authorities have suspended the search for an Australian woman who went missing while hiking in a rugged national park in Nova Scotia, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Denise Ann Williams, 62, was last heard from on April 15, when she told family she was traveling to Chéticamp, a fishing village on Cape Breton Island. She was reported missing on April 28, triggering an air and ground search. Her rental car, a Nissan Sentra, was found at a visitor center near the start of the Acadian Trail, an 8.4-kilometer loop in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
RCMP announced on Monday, local time, that search efforts had been suspended the previous day after "an extensive six-day air and ground search of the area." The operation involved ground teams, aircraft, and dog services, with over 100 personnel from multiple agencies. Police stated that "no further search activity is planned at this time," but they continue to appeal to the public for information.
Trail Conditions and Wildlife Concerns
Parks Canada ranks the Acadian Trail's difficulty as "moderate," citing steep inclines and rugged sections. The park is known for its rocky coastline, dense forests, and fast-moving fog off the Atlantic Ocean. Authorities have noted the presence of black bears and moose in the area, advising hikers to be on the lookout. This time of year, bears are emerging from hibernation and it is mating season, which could pose additional risks, RCMP Corporal Mandy Edwards told the ABC.
The park's website advises hikers to carry a solid walking stick and to hike with friends, or if walking alone, to tell someone of their plans. Phone reception in the park is patchy, which can complicate communication.
Background and Response
Williams had been traveling through Canada's Atlantic provinces on an "adventure" vacation. Police released her image and a physical description—5-foot-4 with greyish blonde, shoulder-length hair, last seen wearing a dark winter jacket, a powder-blue beanie with "Antarctica" written on it, an orange and blue scarf, and glasses.
Chris Bellemore, head of a local search and rescue team, described the terrain as challenging, telling CBC that searchers were "walking through dense forested areas" and areas with many windfalls. He noted that search teams spent little time on well-marked trails, focusing instead on valleys, ravines, and dense woods.
While wildlife is a recognized danger, the RCMP has not speculated on the cause of Williams' disappearance. The search suspension does not close the case, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Historical Context
Cape Breton Highlands National Park has seen prior wildlife incidents. In 2009, a 19-year-old folk singer, Taylor Mitchell, was attacked by coyotes in the park and later died from her injuries. It remains the only confirmed fatal coyote attack on an adult human in North America.
Authorities have not indicated that Williams' disappearance is linked to wildlife, but the rugged conditions and the park's natural hazards remain central to the ongoing investigation.