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UPDATE: RCMP confirm body of missing Chilliwack senior found

Police say case is now in the hands of the coroner
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Ethal (Grace) Baranyk has been reported missing since Saturday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. in Chilliwack. (Submitted photo)

Chilliwack RCMP confirm the body of a Chilliwack senior, missing since July 13, has been found.

“With the assistance of BC Coroners Service, the RCMP now confirm that the human remains located on August 21, 2019 has been positively identified as Ethel ‘Grace’ Baranyk, 86, who was reported missing July 13, 2019,” RCMP said in a statement released Friday.

Police say human remains were found on property near where the senior went missing. There is no evidence to suggest a crime.

Grace Baranyk had severe dementia. The disappearance of the 86-year-old sparked a massive search throughout the city.

Despite the help of hundreds of volunteers, along with police and Chilliwack Search and Rescue, no trace of the woman was found.

This weekend, the search was expected to ramp up again with the help of Canadian Search and Disaster Dogs Association.

Dick Richards, Baranyk’s nephew, expressed the family’s appreciation for the support online.

“We would like to thank everyone who has helped in any way,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “Your help, messages and thoughts have been very appreciated. If you were directly involved in search efforts or supported us from a distance, we are extremely grateful.

READ MORE: ‘No little nook and cranny that’s too small’ in search for Chilliwack woman, say RCMP

READ MORE: Family of missing Chilliwack senior frustrated with situation, but heartened by community

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Lisa Bisschop, right, helped coordinate a volunteer search alongside the official search for 86-year-old Grace Baranyk. (Jessica Peters/The Progress)