SMEATON — Seventy-four-year-old Lois Chartrand, an experienced mushroom picker who became separated from another person she was with Aug. 4, has been found deceased.
RCMP say that on Aug. 14, searchers located Chartrand deceased in a forested area approximately one kilometre from where she was last seen.
Her family has been notified, says RCMP, adding their thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
Chartrand went missing about 11 a.m. while on foot picking mushrooms northeast of kilometre 30 on the Hanson Lake Road (Highway 106).
Severe thunderstorms, wind and rain that came through the area impacted the search for Chartrand the first night, but she had been in contact with searchers the morning of Aug. 5 by radio. The search has been ongoing since that time and included Nipawin, Carrot River, Deschambault Lake and Smeaton RCMP detachments.
Saskatchewan RCMP has issued a thank you to all the agencies and individuals that assisted in the search for Lois, including Alberta RCMP, Saskatoon Police Service, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) Civilian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) and Heli Recon.
RCMP has also expressed thanks to community members and Lois Chartrand’s loved ones, who – despite the stressful circumstances – ensured all searchers were fed and supported.
