The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has confirmed that it is investigating the death of Abbotsford鈥檚 Chelsey Gauthier, reported missing in late July.
IHIT released the information on Friday afternoon, saying the Abbotsford Police Department鈥檚 investigation of the missing-person case led them to search an isolated area of Mission near on Aug. 16.
During the search, they found a female body, and the death was 鈥渃onsistent with homicide,鈥� according to Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT.
He said DNA analysis confirmed yesterday (Thursday) that the body was that of Gauthier.
Jang said IHIT continues to work with the APD, Mission RCMP, the Intergrated Forensic Identification Section and the B.C. Coroners Service to gather evidence.
鈥淔rom the evidence collected so far, investigators believe that Miss Gauthier鈥檚 death was not random,鈥� he said.
Police released no further details about the case, including the cause of death and whether suspects have been identified or arrested.
Gauthier is the mom of two daughters, ages 3 and 2. She was to the Abbotsford Police Department on Sunday, July 30 at 10:15 p.m. She had last been seen at around 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 27 at the McDonald鈥檚 restaurant at Bourquin Crescent West and South Fraser Way in Abbotsford.
IHIT investigating death of 22 yo Chelsey GAUTHIER of Abbotsford. Last seen on July 27. Not btb random. Have info? Call IHIT.
鈥� IHIT (@HomicideTeam)
At the time of her disappearance, police said she was known to frequent locations in central Abbotsford. She had not been active on social media for several days, and her friends and family were very concerned, police said.
A friend of Gauthier provided regular updates on Facebook, saying on Aug. 1 that police and helicopters had searched a 鈥渓arge, vast area鈥� in which there was 鈥渟trong evidence鈥� that Gauthier was located.
The friend posted that the searches and the investigation continued for several days. Her last post, on Aug. 13, indicated that Gauthier had still not been found.
Her next post is dated today at 11 a.m., stating, 鈥淐helsey Gauthier has been located. No further information that I am able to disclose may be posted online yet.鈥�
A has been set up by a cousin of Gauthier鈥檚 to help with funeral expenses.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know what happened to her, all we know is she鈥檚 gone and we will never have the chance to see her again,鈥� the page states.
Gauthier鈥檚 dad, Ray, posted a YouTube video today titled 鈥淎 sad message regarding my baby Chelsey Gauthier,鈥� saying the death was not accidental.
鈥淪omebody did this to her, and the police are working on it right now,鈥� he said.
He said he plans to start a foundation in Gauthier鈥檚 name to address 鈥渄rug awareness,鈥� blaming marijuana for her death.
鈥淚t killed my daughter 鈥� Her life was taken because of this stuff.鈥�
Ray did not elaborate on these statements.
Investigators have asked that anyone with information call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT, email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
