Left and Right: Delphine circa, 1990
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 13, 1990
Missing From: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: February 16, 1975
Age: 15 years old
Height and Weight: 5’3″ and 134 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Native American Female, Brown hair, Hazel/Brown eyes, Delphine’s right index finger was fractured at the time of her disappearance, a scar on her right temple, she has a purple birthmark on her neck, she was described as having a light complexion and a medium build, Delphine has healthy teeth
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blue bleached denim Levi’s jacket with white inside pockets, a white cotton Ginny sweater, hot pink skin tight and knee length denim pants, white LA Gear running shoes, and a black leather “pouch style” purse which has also been described as a western shoulder handbag with fringes, inside of the purse was hair spray and a brush, pictures, makeup, and an address book
Details of Disappearance
Delphine was last seen on the night of June 13th 1990 by her friends as she hitchhiked in the eastbound Lane of Highway 16 in Smithers, British Columbia, Canada. She was last seen by them at approximately 10:00 pm and was never seen again afterwards.
Delphine lived with her uncle in Telkwa at the time of her disappearance and he had legal custody of her. She left his home at 2:00 pm and told him she was meeting her three friends in Smithers which was 16 kilometers away from where she lived at the time.
Authorities believe that Delphine is a possible victim of a series of killings that took place along the same stretch of the highway since the 1970s. These murders have been named as the “Highway of tears” and all of them involved teenaged girls, there were 18 other possible victims of the crime. Delphine is the only possible victim that hasn’t been recovered.
American serial killer, Jack Fowler, is considered a likely suspect in Fowler’s disappearance. He operated as a serial killer until 1995 and frequently targeted young female hitchhikers. Fowler’s DNA was found on the bodies of one of the murdered girls in 2012 and is considered a prime suspect in two other cases from the area. He has not been charged with Delphines case.
A year prior to Delphine’s disappearance, her cousin, Cecilia Nikal disappeared from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has never been found. Authorities believe it’s possible that the two cases are connected and that Cecilia was another victim of the Highway of Tears murders. This has not been proven but authorities suspect foul play in both cases.
Delphine’s disappearance remains unsolved and she is believed to have been the victim of a homicide.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police 250-847-3233
Source Information
Missing Children Society of Canada