Thirty-one-year-old Shana Lee Labatte was born and raised in the tight-knit community of Kamloops, British Columbia, and was a devoted single mother to two young children. For much of her life, Labatte led what those close to her described as a “normal” existence, working part-time as a cleaner at a local hotel and nurturing her family. But around six years prior to her death—roughly 1998—her world unraveled. A descent into heavy drug addiction pulled her into a high-risk lifestyle, including survival sex work on the streets to fund her habit. Friends and family watched helplessly as the once-stable woman grappled with homelessness and isolation.
In the quiet early morning hours of March 23rd, 2004, a routine walk in Mission Flats Park turned into a nightmare. Tucked away near a walking trail just west of the Weyerhaeuser effluent ponds, a group of residents stumbled upon Shana’s partially clad body.
Kamloops RCMP quickly confirmed foul play, though details of the case were withheld to protect the investigation. Investigators noted the similarities to another recent unsolved murder in the area—both victims were involved in sex work—prompting fears of a targeted predator preying on at-risk women. At the time, Shana’s death was one of three such cases under scrutiny by local Mounties, highlighting a disturbing pattern in the community.
Surveillance footage from a 7-Eleven on Seymour Street captured Shana’s last known movements the night before her body was found, offering a fleeting glimpse into her final hours. She had also spent time in Prince George, another hub of transient life in British Columbia’s interior.
The RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit threw significant resources at the case from the outset. Within weeks, they released a composite sketch of a man described as a “person of interest,” based on witness accounts. Around the same time, investigators sought the driver of a suspicious SUV spotted in the area approximately two weeks before the murder. The vehicle had approached a woman—possibly linked to Shana’s circle—offering a ride, then followed her after she declined, raising red flags about predatory behavior.
Over the years, periodic appeals kept the case alive. In 2014, marking the 10th anniversary, RCMP renewed calls for tips, emphasizing that even minor details could crack the case. And in March 2024, on the 20th anniversary, there was another renewed plea for information.
Despite these efforts, however, leads have dried up, and though the file remains open, there have been no arrests and no named suspects. The case is not believed to be connected to other high-profile unsolved homicides in the region, such as that of Samantha Paul, though the shared themes of addiction and street life underscore systemic issues. As of this writing in 2025, the murder of Shana Lee Labatte remains unsolved.
Crime Immemorial 