Calgary police said Vida Smith, 69, traveled to Calgary from Chestermere to meet with a friend on July 21st. When Smith failed to return home and missed a medical appointment later in the week her family reported her missing.
Calgary police have determined that missing woman Vida Smith, 69, was the victim of a homicide and have laid charges against Kevin BARTON, also known as Chris LEE, 60, in relation to her disappearance. On Thursday, July 30, 2020, investigators located Barton in northwest Calgary and took him into custody without incident.
Calgary police said in a press release “At this time, detectives have exhausted all footprints of life and based on evidence, believe Vida was killed. However, investigators have not yet located Vida’s remains.”
The investigation is ongoing and police are asking for the public’s help to locate Vida’s remains. Police believe that BARTON travelled from Calgary to Edmonton on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, and we are asking citizens who may have seen something suspicious to contact police at 403-266-1234.
Update August 14th
Calgary police are still seeking assistance from the public to locate Vida’s remains. Police believe that BARTON traveled from Calgary to Edmonton, on Wednesday, July 22, in his beige Cadillac Escalade. Albertans who may have seen BARTON or his vehicle in either city or in between the cities are asked to contact the police.
The family of Vida Smith are also pleading for information in the case and are releasing the following statement:
“Tuesday, August 11 marks three weeks since I’ve seen my mom…You never know when you’re going to see someone for the last time.
Vida Smith is more than just a missing person or a victim…She’s a beautiful human being, she’s a friend, a mother and a grandmother. She loved her grandchildren more than anything in this world. Vida is so missed and forever loved by her friends and family.
We are beyond devastated and our hearts are broken knowing that we’ll never see her again.
Even though we are seeking privacy during this unimaginable time, we are asking for the public’s help… If you saw something or if you know something, please come forward.
Our mom deserves dignity and respect. We just want to find her and bring her home so she can Rest In Peace.“
Update In October of 2022 police received information about a possible location, however due to weather conditions and the terrain in the area, it was not possible to conduct a search during the winter months.
On May 9, 2023, RCMP revisited the site, located near a rest stop off the eastbound Trans-Canada Highway, east of Banff, where they located the remains. An autopsy was performed, and The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the remains belonged to Vida Smith.