A grandmother's heartache

Photo: CTV

Vickie Urich is mourning the loss of her granddaughter, Traci Genereaux.

A Vernon woman is heartbroken after learning about the death of her granddaughter and she is urging the community to help police find the killer.

Earlier this week, RCMP confirmed human remains were found on a farm near Silver Creek were those of Traci Genereaux, Vickie Urich's granddaughter.

The death is being treated as suspicious.

The 18-year-old disappeared on May 29 and Urich is pleading with the public to help the RCMP's investigation into her death.

"I don't want to believe, but have to believe, this has happened to her," Urich said. "It is a nightmare."

Urich described her granddaughter as the kind of kid who would light up a room.

But in her teen years, Genereaux got caught up in drugs and the sex trade.

"Last time I saw her was a couple of years ago," Urich said. "I seen her on the street."

Police have set up tip line, 1-877-987-8477, for any information on Genereaux's movements around the time she was last seen.

"Please help the family. Please help the mom and dad," Urich said.

Police have been conducting a search of the farm on Salmon River Road for the past three weeks.

The property belongs to Wayne Sagmoen, whose son, Curtis Wayne Sagmoen, 37, was recently charged with six offences stemming from an Aug. 27 incident near Falkland where he allegedly threatened a sex trade worker.

The charges include intentionally discharging a firearm and uttering threats.

A warrant was issued for Sagmoen's arrest on Oct. 17, and he was arrested the following day.

No connection between Sagmoen and Genereaux's remains has been made and police are not saying if Sagmoen is a suspect in her disappearance.

Police are also not saying if more remains have been found on the property.

In the past 20 months, five women, including Genereaux, have gone missing between Vernon and Sicamous.

The Sagmoen farm sits between those communities.

- with files from CTV Vancouver