DNA long shot: RCMP look for family members of woman who went missing in Chilliwack in 1982
Patricia Flynn, 38, was last seen March 24, 1982, and with no siblings, children, or parents, finding genetic material using modern technology could help
Forty-three years ago, Patricia Elizabeth Flynn lapsed into a "catatonic state then suddenly came out of it," according to a neighbour in Yarrow as reported in a short page 1 story in the April 7, 1982 edition of The Chilliwack Progress.
Wearing only a light-coloured night gown and slippers, the neigbhour said Flynn leaped through a window, ran down the road and into the bush on Vedder Mountain.
It was March 24, 1982, and she was never found. Because DNA collection wasn't common practice in the 1980s and she had no siblings or children, and her parents were both dead by 1984, Chilliwack RCMP are are looking for relatives that might be out there to provide DNA now.
"The Chilliwack RCMP are seeking the assistance of the public to identify family members of Patricia Flynn who went missing from her home in Yarrow in March of 1982," according to a police news release issued May 15, 2025.
An immediate search of the area was initiated and continued for several days with no success in March 1982. The April 1982 news story said Flynn had been spotted in the Vedder Road/Wells Road area on the day she went missing.
Chilliwack Search and Rescue looked for two days after the disappearance, and police conducted and extensive search of the Sardis area using aircraft and police dogs. Eventually, the search was called off.
Because DNA technology was only in its infancy in 1982, none was ever obtained from Patricia or her parents. Police now collect DNA samples of missing people if possible and if not, familial DNA can be used.
Notes in her file indicated the Flynns had family "back east," however, it is unclear where exactly that may be.
"We are requesting that any relatives that may share familial DNA with Patricia Flynn to contact Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611," said Chilliwack RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Teresa Parsons. "Obtaining familial DNA would enable investigators to compare it with unidentified persons in Canada and internationally, which may be key to advancing the investigation into Patricia’s Flynn’s disappearance."
There were three stories in The Progress that mention Flynn going missing, from April 7, May 19, and June 2.
The April 7 story cited RCMP S.Sgt. Orv Underhill who said that unless police received more information, the ground search would not continue. The May 19 story was about concerns among Yarrow residents that not enough effort was made to locate the woman.
"The Yarrow Ratepayers Association has scheduled a meeting for tonight to discuss whether or not more action should be taken in the search for Patricia Elizabeth Flynn of Yarrow," according to the May 19, 1982 story.
"Vern Hisdal of the Yarrow Ratepayers Association said they scheduled a meeting said the matter will be brought up for discussion.
"He said several residents of the Yarrow area have complained that the woman's disappearance has been treated lightly and that not enough publicity was given the incident at the time.
"Hisdal said speculation among Yarrow residents is that the woman may still be on the mountain."
The June 2, 1982 story mentioned Flynn under the headline "Mennonite Disaster Services gears up here." The story focused on the MDS "being energized" across Canada to provide a network of volunteers in the event of natural disasters.
MDS searchers took part in a search for Flynn two months later on May 22, 1982. That search included Al Rempel of Chilliwack who was chairman of the group for B.C., and vice-chairman Barry Wylde of Sardis.
"Evidence of the missing woman was not found that day on the lower slopes of Vedder Mountain, but Rempel has concluded the day was not a success for another reason."
Rempel said the call to MDS should have come from Chilliwack Search and Rescue who would have told the group that 40 volunteers were needed and what was appropriate clothing.
In the case of the search for Flynn, the call came from a Yarrow resident who did not know the numbers needed.
"He suggests such details may seem minor in a small-scale search, but in a major emergency doing it right could be the difference between getting the job done or not," according to the story.
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