The search for 18-year-old Tyeshia Jones has ended in tragedy.
Police have just announced a woman’s body was discovered in a wooded area off of Indian Road shortly after 11 a.m. Friday.
“The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP and the RCMP Forensic Identification Section are actively investigating the scene of this discovery,” RCMP Cpl. Kevin Day said in a media release this afternoon.
“Investigators believe this is the body of 18-year-old Tyeshia Jones.”
Foul play is suspected, and official confirmation of identity and cause of death is pending.
Jones’ family has been notified, Day added, and officers are with them at this time.
The Duncan teen had been missing since about 2 a.m. Saturday when she left a party on Miller Road, walking toward the Duncan Superstore to meet a friend.
Her last text message sent indicated she was at August Road.
A full-scale RCMP and Search and Rescue effort has been underway since Monday.
“The RCMP Forensic Identification Section is currently processing the scene where this body was located,” Day said. “This examination is expected to take several days, given its scope and the complexity of the terrain. Police have cordoned off a large area of land bordering Indian Road.”
An RCMP press conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday.
“Investigators are very conscious of the impact this discovery will have on the community,” Day said. “We assure the public that every necessary resource from across Vancouver Island is working to advance this investigation. We will update the community with further details as the investigation permits.”