Family of missing woman gives blood so RCMP can compare DNA with human remains found on B.C. farm

Investigators are comparing DNA from human remains found on a northOkanaganfarm inB.C. last week with the DNAof the parents of a Vernon woman who went missing in the spring, her familysays.

TraciGenereaux, who was last heard from on May 29, isone of at least five women who have beenmissing since early 2016 in the region surrounding theSagmoenfamily farm, located on Salmon River Road between Vernon and Salmon Arm.

On Friday, her parents were asked by RCMPto provide blood samples, according to her father,DarcyGenereaux. Genereaux and Laurie Nixonvisited the localRCMPdetachment the same day to have blood drawn.

"It's not a very fun day,"DarcyGenereauxtoldCBCNews. "We just want to know where our little girl is. [I want] my daughter to be safe and happy somewhere, myself."

He asked when he might hear if there's a match with the remains, but didn't get a definitive answer. In the meantime, he said, he feels "worse every day."

Mounties have cautioned against speculating about a connection between the Oct. 21 discovery of the remains on the farmand the missing women, but say they are in contact with the women's families.

B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said he can assure the public the RCMP hasall the resources itneeds.

"They are conducting a very thorough investigation, and when I am able to say more I will," said Farnworth.

Priscilla Potts, the mother of another missing woman, 27-year-old Caitlin Potts, told CBCNews she provided investigators with blood and DNA samples in March 2016, shortly after her daughterdisappeared. She said Monday she wasn't aware of any other recent requests for samples.

A search on the 9.7-hectare farm property has been underway for12 days. Police have not said whether the remains belong to one or more persons, but describe the discovery as suspicious.

In early October, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP issued a public warning to women and sex workers in the area, saying they were investigating an Aug. 28 incident involving a woman who reported she had been threatened by a man with a gun.

Investigators believe the woman had arranged a meeting with a man in the area of Salmon River Road using a website popular with sex workers and escorts.

Curtis Wayne Sagmoen, 36, faces multiples charges, including firearms offences and uttering threats, in connection with that investigation. His family owns the farm at the heart of the investigation.

Sagmoen appeared in court last week and remains in custody pending his next court appearance on Nov. 23.

With files from Angela Sterritt