Missing B.C. woman's family boosts reward

The family of aVanderhoof, B.C., woman missing for more than three months has increased the reward in the case to $25,000 in a desperate attempt to find her.

The family acknowledged in its latest plea issued Thursday that there is a possibility that Madison Scott's disappearance may be the result of foul play.

"Therefore, we would like to announce that we have increased our reward up to $25,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for her disappearance," her parents said in a release.

Scott was last seen at a party at Hogsback Lake, a forest recreation site near Vanderhoof about 60 kilometres west of Prince George in the early morning hours of May 28.

The woman, aged 20, disappeared with her iPhone and the keys to her pickup truck, leaving her tent and the vehicle behind.

"This investigation remains a priority for North District Major Crime," says RCMPSgt. Rob Vermeulen.

Community priority

Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen said the search for the woman has become a community priority.

"Everywhere in town, on cars or business windows, there are posters looking for Madison," Thiessen said. "I get calls from residents on summer vacation hoping that there is something new to report, something that will help us find her."

At the peak of the search in the days after Scott went missing, more than150 search and rescue personnel and volunteers from Vanderhoof and neighbouring communities conducted air, land and water searches of the area.

"It is our hope and belief that there is information out there that will help us locate our daughter," her parents said in their statement.

They previously had put up an award of $15,000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vanderhoof RCMP or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers.