New search planned for missing woman in northern B.C.

A Vancouver private detective is planning a new search to try to find the body of an Alberta woman who went missing while hitchhiking in northern B.C. five years ago.

Nicole Hoar, 25, was last seen at a gas station on Highway 16 on the outskirts of Prince George.

The Red Deer woman, who had been working in the area as a tree planter, had told friends she was going to hitchhike to Smithers, 370 kilometres to the west.

Her disappearance prompted a massive search and the offer of a $25,000 reward.

At least 10 young women have gone missing or been slain along Highway 16 west of Prince George since 1990.

Private investigator Ray Michalko said he has new leads that have led him to the Norman Lake areawest of the B.C. city, and he is planning to lead a team of volunteers on a search of the area on May 12.

He said he remainssure that someone knows something about the missing women.

"I'm convinced there's some people out there who know something about all of these cases, and the big thing is getting them to talk about it. I think if you keep at it and keep knocking on doors, eventually somebody's going to say something."

Michalko said he is paying for the investigation himself through donations and fundraising, adding that the search is dependent on volunteers.