Australian Hiker Vanishes in Canadian Wilderness

A search is ongoing for 62-year-old Denise Ann Williams, an Australian national reported missing on April 28, 2026, while hiking in Canada's Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Williams was last in contact with her family on April 15, 2026, stating she was traveling to Chéticamp. Her rental car was discovered at the visitor centre for the Acadian trail, an 8.4km loop known for moderate difficulty and steep sections. This trail is situated within a park that features a rocky coastline and is inhabited by wildlife such as moose, coyotes, and black bears. Phone reception in the park is known to be unreliable.

Authorities received the missing person report at approximately 9:30 AM local time on April 28, 2026. Police released images and a physical description of Williams, noting she is 5-foot-4 with greyish blonde, shoulder-length hair, and was believed to be wearing a dark winter jacket, a beanie with 'Antarctica' on it, an orange and blue scarf, and glasses. Air and ground search operations are being conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Department of Natural Resources, assisted by police dog services and multiple search and rescue teams. Temperatures in the park have ranged from 0C to 14C during the day, dropping to -5C at night, with lingering snow present. Officials have cautioned about potential dangers from wildlife, such as bears emerging from hibernation.