Today marks 21 years since 13-year-old Kayla-Rose McKay was found dead at the waterfront in Prince Rupert. Her death remains unsolved, and her family is still searching for answers.
Kayla-Rose is one of the many Indigenous girls and women whose lives have been lost or gone missing along B.C.’s Highway of Tears. Her death in 2004 was quickly ruled an accident, despite serious concerns—she was found without clothing and with signs of alcohol poisoning. Her family was not allowed to identify her body, and key investigative steps were never taken.
The McKay family believes the investigation was rushed and shaped by systemic racism, and they’ve spent over two decades fighting for justice.
Now, on the 21st anniversary of her death, the family is urging anyone who may know what happened to come forward. They have a lawyer in Vancouver actively working on the case and are hoping new information could help bring long-awaited answers.
Kayla-Rose’s story is a painful reminder of the many families still seeking justice for their daughters and sisters. The McKay family says it’s not too late for the truth.
