Vancouver – Forensic testing of pollen has revealed an unidentified woman whose body was found in English Bay in 2022, may have spent her final days in the Seattle or Portland area.

With this new evidence, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is renewing its appeal for help in identifying the woman.

On September 29, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a tugboat crew discovered her floating in the waters off Spanish Banks. She was found near an inflatable kayak, and had candy, insulin, and a backpack but no identification. The crew transported her body to the Kitsilano Coast Guard station, where VPD officers began an investigation that was later transferred to the Missing Persons Unit.

Despite extensive efforts, including searches across North America and through Interpol, no missing person report has matched the woman’s description. The woman is believed to be in her thirties and of African descent. Investigators believe she may never have been reported missing, yet remain confident that someone, somewhere, is looking for her.

 

Breakthrough forensic analysis

A significant development emerged after VPD Sergeant Anton Schamberger learned that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Laboratory in Chicago could analyze pollen spores on clothing to determine where a person may have recently spent time. Sergeant Schamberger sent the woman’s backpack and sweater for testing.

In July 2025, the lab submitted a report to the VPD. The findings indicated that the pollen grains and fern spores on the woman’s sweater suggested that it had recent exposure to an urban environment within the Pacific Northwest, plausibly Seattle or Portland. The report also indicated a near total absence of pollen grains or fern spores from the Vancouver area. This evidence suggests the woman is not from Vancouver but could have spent her last days in the Seattle or Portland areas.

 

Next Steps: Public Appeal in Canada and the U.S.

The VPD is releasing an updated video featuring the new forensic findings, an interview with the tugboat captain that found the woman, and its renewed call for information. The video will be shared on social media alongside a Vancouver news conference announcing the results and outlining next investigative steps, including VPD investigators travelling to Seattle.

The following day, with support from the Seattle Police Department and Portland Police Bureau, media availability will be held in Seattle to introduce the case to U.S. audiences and further appeal for public assistance.

 

Objective: Identification and Closure

The goal of this initiative is to trigger memories, generate new leads, and ultimately identify the woman so her family can be notified. Investigators hope the video and cross-border outreach will reach people who may recognize her, even if she was not originally from the Pacific Northwest or North America.

This case has already drawn considerable attention due to its complexity and the mystery surrounding the woman’s identity. While the primary objective remains identification, this work also reflects the VPD’s commitment to investigating cases involving missing and unidentified BIPOC women.

The investigators invite anyone to view and share the video on YouTube or in the Vancouver Police social media feeds: @VancouverPoliceDepartment on X and @vancouverpd on Instagram.

Anyone with information can email: thekayaker@vpd.ca or call 604 717 0619.

Visit VPD.ca/unidentified-persons to view this case and others.