After nearly eight years of searching, the remains of Nicole Crystal Bell, a woman who vanished in 2017, have been discovered in rural Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

Nicole Bell, a 31-year-old mother from Sicamous, was reported missing in September 2017. Her case drew attention across the North Okanagan region, especially as she was one of five women who disappeared in that area between 2016 and 2017.

On May 5, 2025, the RCMP in Salmon Arm were alerted to the discovery of human remains. The BC Coroners Service later confirmed the remains were those of Nicole Bell. Her case has long been treated as suspicious, with investigators early on determining that foul play was involved.

The region has a troubling history with such cases. In 2017, human remains found on a property along Salmon River Road were identified as belonging to 18-year-old Traci Genereaux, another of the five missing women. That property was linked to Curtis Wayne Sagmoen, whose family owns the land.

While police have clarified that the five disappearances are not the work of a single serial offender, they do believe there is a direct connection between Bell’s and Genereaux’s deaths. According to Supt. Sanjaya Wijayakoon of the BC RCMP major crimes unit, the primary suspect in both cases is the same individual.

RCMP continue to investigate. Anyone with info is urged to call 1-877-987-8477.