Almost a week after a woman fell of the Stawamus Chief to her death, authorities last week revealed her identity. But they still don't know how or why she fell.
On Friday (Aug. 9), the B.C. Coroners Service issued a release identifying the hiker as Gabriole VanKeith, 57, of Vancouver. She was trekking through the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park on Aug. 4. At approximately 5 p.m. witnesses reported seeing a person falling from the granite monolith.
Squamish Search and Rescue was called in and within 30 minutes the team confirmed that she was deceased when they found her in a heavily forested area near the base of the mountain, RCMP Sgt. Wayne Pride said.
"We were pretty confident of her identity a while ago, but our first concern was the family," Pride said.
Police believe VanKeith fell from a lookout above a rock feature called the Black Dyke. The popular trail remained open as police scoured the area for clues regarding what happened and the woman's identity. A helicopter was brought in and a backpack was located on the mountain, Pride said. A T-shirt was later found on the rock face, Pride said.
Although the incident has been determined as a tragic accident, it is still uncertain how VanKeith fell, Pride said.
"We just don't have anything to say how she got over the edge," he said.
The shirt that was discovered did have markings indicative of injures, Pride said when questioned whether VanKeith had been removing her backpack and a layer of clothing at the time of the incident.
There is no indication that the trail is dangerous, he noted. Pride reminded hikers to be prepared and careful when enjoying the walk up the Chief.
"Tell people if you are going alone," he said.
B.C. Coroners Service officials expressed appreciation to the Squamish RCMP and Squamish Search and Rescue members who provided "significant assistance in the wake of this tragic incident."
