A woman reported missing from Bella Coola last month has been identified as the body found located in the water in the North Bentick Arm area.
On June 21, 2016, the Bella Coola RCMP received a report that Diane Pootlass, 41, was last seen on June 16 by a family member.
An extensive air and ground search was conducted over several weeks in order to locate her, but all search efforts met with negative result.
On July 7, 2016 a body was located in the water in the North Bentinck Arm area by a local boat operator.
An autopsy performed on July 11, positively identified that it was Pootlass.
The RCMP said the autopsy showed no signs whatsoever of foul play.
The BC Coroner’s Service is in charge of the investigation.