Body of missing teen recovered from St. Mary River

The body of a missing 17-year-old female, who had been missing for more than a week and presumed drowned in a boating accident which claimed two other lives, was located in the St. Mary River on June 18.

The search, which resumed in the morning on June 18 with Raymond/Magrath RCMP, RCMP Air Services, Lethbridge SAR and Fire Services, Vulcan Fire and Rescue, and Magrath Fire has been concluded, Raymond/Magrath RCMP said in a news release.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and community members during this difficult time,” says Sgt. Kevin Wright. “I would like to thank everyone involved for their tireless efforts over the past week during this tragic time.”

The search had been ongoing for more than a week after a tragic boating accident on the St. Mary River near Spring Coulee.

Three girls from Spring Valley Hutterite Colony had been out on the river with a group of friends when the boat they were in encountered difficulty. As they were trying to exit the boat, it overturned dumping the three girls and others into the river.

One girl was confirmed dead at the scene and another, also deceased, was retrieved by search crews in the early morning on June 11 about 1,000 metres from where she was last seen.

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