Canadian cops call off search for missing Australian hiker

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 16:11

Denise Ann Williams, 62, was last heard from on April 15 after she told family she was travelling to Chéticamp, a fishing village on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.

The search for an Australian hiker who went missing on a remote Canadian island has been called off after six days.

Denise Ann Williams, 62, was last heard from on April 15 after telling family she was travelling to Chéticamp, a fishing village on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.

The Victorian woman was reported missing nearly two weeks later about 9.30am on April 28, kicking off an extensive multi-agency air and ground search.

Her rental car, a Nissan Sentra, was later found parked at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre near the Acadian Trail head in Cape Breton Highlands National Park – narrowing the search to one of the region's most visited hiking routes.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police units were assisted by air services, police dogs, search and rescue teams, Parks Canada staff, and emergency responders during the six-day search.

The search for Williams ended on May 3.

"No further search activity is planned at this time," local police said.

Police described Williams as 5'4" with greyish-blonde, shoulder-length hair.

She was last known to have been wearing a dark winter jacket, a powder blue toque with "Antarctica" written on it, an orange and blue scarf and glasses.

The Acadian Trail, where Williams is believed to have gone missing, is an 8.4-kilometre loop known for its moderate-to-difficult terrain.

Authorities cautioned that wildlife, including moose, coyotes, and black bears, are active in the area at this time of year.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia have urged anyone who may have encountered Williams in Cape Breton Highlands National Park to contact local authorities.

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