Unless the rising waters of the North Thompson River dislodge May Milling's car from its resting place, the search for the missing Gibsons woman is on hold for a couple of months, police said on Thursday, May 19.
"We will have to wait two months for the water to come down," said Clearwater RCMP Sgt. Stuart Seib.
Seib is convinced the 81-year-old's Buick is resting in one of two large holes that are downstream from where officers believe the vehicle veered off Highway 5 near Mad River and down a 30-metre embankment last August.
Searchers had a two-week window early last month where the usually murky river was clear enough to conduct a thorough examination of the water.
Divers, a miniature remote-controlled submarine and the RCMP helicopter scoured the river with the help of search and rescue volunteers. Seib said bits and pieces of the car were found, but not the vehicle itself or Milling.
"We were hoping to get lucky," he said.
Milling's friends gathered at Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club on May 1 for a celebration of her life.
Milling was not married and had no children. She left Gibsons Aug. 26 and headed for Grand Forks, Radium, Banff and then on to Jasper, a journey she made annually.
She was en route to Kamloops from Jasper to visit John when she disappeared.
