Highway of Tears private eye announces break in case
Ethan Baron, The Province
Published: Wednesday, October 25, 2006

A number of people were present when Highway of Tears victim Ramona Wilson was killed, a private investigator says.

Wilson, 16, vanished in June 1994 while hitchhiking on Highway 16 near Smithers. Ten months later, two teens found her body in bush near Smithers Regional Airport.

Surrey private eye Ray Michalko is probing the case and has received what he believes is reliable information about Wilson's killing.

"There were three or more people present prior to her death," Michalko said. "I don't know how many were involved in her death, but I think that everybody present was aware of what was going on."

It's possible the homicide occurred at a bush party, he said.

The tipster's willingness to meet with Michalko and provide his or her name added to the person's credibility, he said.

Officially, nine women have vanished along Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Five were found dead. All but one of the nine were aboriginal. Amnesty International estimates more than 30 women have gone missing from the highway over three decades.

Michalko intends to run an ad in the Smithers paper seeking information about Wilson's death.

"What I'm trying to do is rattle some people up," he said. "I'm hoping that somebody's got a guilty conscience and says, 'I should have come forward long ago.'"

Michalko's ad says: "If you were one of the people that was present during this horrific crime, or know who was, for the sake of Ramona Wilson's family, do the right thing and call Smithers RCMP immediately."

He said he would soon meet with RCMP to discuss his findings.

ebaron@png.canwest.com

© The Vancouver Province 2006