14-year-old girl murdered in northern B.C.

The RCMP have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a 14-year-old Aboriginal girl whose remains were found on the outskirts of Prince George last week.

Aielah Katherina Saric had been missing for more than a week, and had been last spotted alive near a bar in the inner city.

Her family had reported her missing, and had plastered the downtown area with missing posters, asking for any information as to her whereabouts.

A passing motorist found Saric's remains while travelling on Highway 16 east of Prince George last Friday. The RCMP were called in and an investigation was launched.

RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary Godwin now says she was murdered.

"At any time we have a homicide, this is a major crime. The fact that it is a 14-year-old female is tragic indeed."

The highway has a history of tragedy. At least six young women, five of them Aboriginal teens, have gone missing along Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert in the past 15 years.

• LINK: More on missing women

One of the most high-profile cases involved 25-year-old tree planter Nicole Hoar, who vanished while hitchhiking west from Prince George along Highway 16 back in 2002.

Her disappearance triggered a massive search and the offer of a $25,000 reward. But no sign of her was ever found.

• LINK: Find Nicole Hoar

RCMP have repeatedly said they cannot rule out the possibility that a serial killer could be preying on women along Highway 16. But they also say they've found no evidence to link the cases.

Police also say they won't speculate on whether Saric's death is linked to any of the missing women files.