A haunting stretch of road where women vanish.
Since 1969, dozens of Indigenous women and girls have disappeared or been murdered along a remote stretch of Highway 16 in British Columbia, Canada—now known as the “Highway of Tears.” Despite decades of activism and heartbreak, many of the cases remain unsolved.
13 Chilling Facts
1. It spans over 700 kilometers.
The Highway of Tears refers to the isolated section of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert—an area with limited public transportation and deep wilderness.
2. Victims are primarily Indigenous women.
Most of the missing or murdered women are from First Nations communities, highlighting systemic racism, neglect, and a failure of justice.
3. The official count is disputed.
RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) lists 18 official cases, but Indigenous organizations say the true number is well over 40—and possibly 80+.
4. Lack of transportation creates vulnerability.
Many victims were last seen hitchhiking due to the lack of bus service and transportation options in their remote communities.
5. The terrain makes investigation difficult.
The dense forests and rugged landscapes surrounding the highway delayed search efforts and made recovery and evidence-gathering nearly impossible.
6. Some cases are decades old and still unsolved.
One of the earliest cases dates back to 1969. Families are still waiting for justice more than 50 years later.
7. A national inquiry was launched in 2016.
Canada’s government began the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), acknowledging years of inaction.
8. Serial killers have been linked to the area.
Notably, serial killer Cody Legebokoff was convicted of multiple murders along Highway 16, but many cases remain unconnected and unresolved.
9. Victim families have become fierce advocates.
Grieving families, particularly mothers and sisters, have kept the spotlight on the cases, demanding accountability from authorities.
10. Billboards line the highway with missing faces.
Memorial signs and billboards now dot the highway, serving as grim reminders and calls for justice for the women lost.
11. The cases highlight systemic failures.
Critics say the slow and often dismissive responses from police reflect racial and gender-based bias in Canadian institutions.
12. Some women were found, others never were.
In a few cases, remains have been recovered—but many victims simply vanished, with no leads, witnesses, or resolution.
13. The pain crosses generations.
Communities along the highway still carry the trauma of these losses. For many families—daughters, nieces, and sisters are still missing.
The road remains, but justice still lags behind.
The Highway of Tears is not just a place—it’s a symbol of the violence faced by Indigenous women and the silence that often follows. Until justice is served, the highway’s name will remain a painful cry for change.
