Chilliwack RCMP are looking for family members of a woman who went missing 43 years ago, in hopes that their DNA might help investigators with the case.
On March 24, 1982, 38-year-old Patricia Elizabeth Flynn was last seen running into the forest from her family home in Yarrow, dressed in only a nightgown and slippers.
Back then, it wasn’t standard practice to obtain DNA samples for missing persons as this technology was only in its infancy, so no DNA was ever taken from Flynn or her parents.
She had no brothers, sisters, or children and both of her parents died within two years of her disappearance. Notes made by investigators indicated the Flynns had family "back East;" however, it is unclear where exactly that may be, police stated in a May 15 press release.
According to The Chilliwack Progress archives, she was last seen by her family and neighbours that day in the bush area near her home, but a second sighting happened later that same day.
"Police said Flynn was identified through photographs by a person who saw her later that afternoon in the Sardis area," reads a front-page Progress story on an April 7, 1982. Police launched an "extensive sweep" of the area using aircraft, police dogs and Chilliwack Search and Rescue.
It continued for several days with no success. Eventually, the search was called off.
"We are requesting that any relatives that may share familial DNA with Patricia Flynn to contact Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611," said Cpl. Teresa Parsons, media relations officer with the Chilliwack RCMP. "Obtaining familial DNA would enable investigators to compare it with unidentified persons in Canada and internationally, which may be key to advancing the investigation into Patricia’s Flynn’s disappearance."
"The DNA technology has advanced so much, especially in recent years, that we are hopeful now that we can answer what happened to her," Parsons added.
The RCMP file number is 1982-4030.
