CALGARY — Police say remains found last week in Banff National Park are that of a woman who vanished nearly three years ago.
Vida Smith, who was 69, was reported missing by family when she didn’t return to her home in Chestermere, east of Calgary, on July 21, 2020.
Her vehicle was later recovered but she could not be found.
About a week later, Kevin Barton, who is also known as Chris Lee, was arrested and charged in Smith's death.
He was convicted of manslaughter after a two-week trial in 2022.
Calgary police say they received information about a possible location of Smith’s remains in October, but a search of the area could not be conducted until spring.
Police say the remains were found Tuesday near a rest stop off the Trans-Canada Highway east of the Banff townsite.
They say an autopsy last week confirmed the remains belonged to Smith.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2023.
The Canadian Press
