Search for woman called off, investigation goes on
Some three weeks after Gladys Barman went missing, the search for the 82-year-old Oak Bay woman is being called off.
Barman, an active community member who had been delivering the Times Colonist for 23 years, was last seen on July 5 at the Petro-Canada gas station on West Saanich Road, gassing up her dark green 2002 Honda Accord.
Her car was found July 21 by an off-road motorcyclist on a remote logging road southwest of Lake Cowichan.
That find sparked an intensive search involving search-and-rescue crews, local volunteers, police dog services, RCMP helicopter, remotely controlled drones, Oak Bay police and Lake Cowichan RCMP.
On Friday, police said all viable search options had been explored.
“The area is vast and remote and the mountainous terrain was extremely steep and difficult to navigate, requiring the assistance of [search-and-rescue] rope teams from as far away as Comox and Juan de Fuca,” the statement said.
“Despite these extensive efforts, unfortunately, Mrs. Barman was not located.”
A statement posted on the Finding Gladys Barman Facebook page said: “We are so grateful for the hard work from [search-and-rescue], local experts, RCMP and police. A sad day for us, as we process the news and reality of not finding Gladys despite all search efforts.”
The investigation will remain with Oak Bay police. Anyone with information on Barman’s whereabouts is asked to contact Oak Bay police (250-592-2424) or their local police department.
In addition to delivering the Times Colonist, Barman has been a longtime volunteer for the Thrifty Foods Sendial program and the Times Colonist Book Sale.