The girl so full of life was who Madison Scott's mom and dad called attention to, now that she is so absent from theirs.
The 20-year-old Vanderhoof girl disappeared 11 days ago, during a campsite party at Hogsback Lake, a place she knew well, with people all around her she knew well. Yet sometime after 3 a.m. she went missing without any clue since.
Tuesday in Vanderhoof, her loved ones spoke to the public for the first time since the search for their daughter began.
"Maddy is the toughest, funniest, smartest, most sincere person I have ever had the privilege of meeting," good friend Jasmine Klassen told The Citizen.
"She's very talented, and has tried more hobbies than anyone I know. Photography, juggling, painting, pottery, four-wheeling, piano/trumpet/guitar-playing, amateur filmmaking, hockey, soccer, rugby, baseball, clay shooting, horseback riding, dirtbiking, working on vehicles... Even if she admits she's not very good at something, she always has fun. She dreams big and works diligently toward her goals."
Her mom and dad, Dawn and Eldon, held a public meeting to say thank you for the efforts so far.
"Madison Scott is a beautiful caring and loving daughter, sister and friend," said Dawn, with Eldon sitting beside her. "She is a passionate 20-year-old young woman who loves sports and photography. She has a great sense of humour and she loves to socialize with family and friends."
They thanked the many Search and Rescue personnel, police, and public volunteers who have undertaken the search using "every tool and resource available" and it continues, daily.
They also praised the community in general and neighbouring towns for all the inspiration and expressions of care that have flowed since the news emerged that Madison was unaccounted for.
"We are a private family, and we never thought we would be put into such a public position," Dawn Scott said. "It is extremely hard for us all and we will do whatever it takes to find Maddy."
She pointed anyone with any possible idea about what happened to their daughter to contact police with that information. Too much rumour was circulating, she said, so to stop the unsubstantiated speculation please refer all information directly to investigators.
"So please, it doesn't matter how small or insignificant it might seem, call the RCMP and let them know what you know, heard or saw or think you might have seen," she said. "We love our daughter, we need her back home, we need to find her. Please help us. Thank-you."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Vanderhoof police at 250-567-2222 or anonymously tip Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS / www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca.
RCMP BELIEVE TIPS EXIST
RCMP have 14 investigators in Vanderhoof, with between 300 and 400 tasks to follow up in the search for Madison Scott, 20, who went missing on May 28.
"We are pleased with the level of co-operation from those that have come forward or have spoken to investigators," said Sgt. Rob Vermeulen, spokesman for the RCMP. "However, police continue to believe that there is more information out there and we are once again appealing to the public to come forward and speak to us."
They ask for all to come forward who were at the parties that weekend at Hogsback Lake, who were in the general area, or who might have some idea about what might have happened to the popular young woman that weekend.
