Local woman thought dead

Photo: Lynne Currie-Tickell

The mother of a Kelowna woman who was last seen in Peru believes her daughter has been murdered.

Julie Anne Baker was last seen in April on a rafting trip in Lunahuana.

Details around her disappearance remain sparse, but her mother, Lynne Currie-Tickell, recently posted online that authorities now say foul play was involved, and she is believed to be deceased.

“My only daughter has been murdered, a mother's worst nightmare,” Currie-Tickell wrote.

The Canadian government would not confirm if Baker is considered dead.

“Global Affairs Canada is aware of reports that a Canadian citizen is missing in Peru,” said spokesperson Sujata Raisinghani. “Consular officials are providing consular assistance to the family and are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information.”

Raisinghani would not provide any additional details on the investigation, “to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.”

The missing person case was initially reported to Kelowna RCMP, but Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey says police in Peru are now leading the investigation.

Currie-Tickell says Baker leaves behind five children.

“Many hearts have been broken, especially her five children's,” she wrote. “We all miss her deeply, and the devastation of this whole mess is beyond comprehensible.”