Body of missing 22-year-old woman discovered after 8 days of searching

The search for a missing 22-year-old from Waterloo has come to an end as a family friend confirms the discovery of her body.

Jacqueline McDermott who was reported missing to police on Oct. 1, has been found just eight days later.

Her vehicle was located on Hwy 97C between Merritt and Logan Lake, and community members recall seeing McDermott around her vehicle on Sept. 29.

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A post shared by Inmemory Jaqui McDermott (@inlovingmemoryofjaquimcdermott)

Jaqui’s parents flew from Ontario to join the search to find their daughter and were met with the tragic news on Saturday.

According to a Facebook and Instagram post on the “In Loving Memory of Jaqui McDermott” pages, BC Search and Rescue made the grim discovery.

“Thank you for the outpouring of support we have received in our search for Jaqui. We are devastated to report that her body was found yesterday after exhaustive searches by the BC Search and Rescue teams,” explained Katharine Kitsemetry.

“Our hearts are forever shattered. Please respect our privacy as we learn how to live in a world without her. Please keep her in your hearts.”

Jaqui’s mother, Nathalie, described her daughter as stubborn, funny, creative, passionate and full of joy.

The GoFundMe that raised $49,180 for the McDermott family has since been closed.

An outpouring of support has come in as people post their condolences through the "In Loving Memory of Jaqui McDermott” Facebook page.

The BC Coroners Service has launched a concurrent fact-finding investigation into her death, but police confirm they do not believe that criminality was involved.