Overview

Margaret Batoche was last seen on May 26, 1967, in either Edmonton or at her family residence in Bonnyville. Her family officially reported her missing on July 7, 1967, more than a month after they lost contact with her.

Investigators quickly noted that Batoche’s behavior before disappearing was inconsistent with voluntarily leaving. She had never gone long without contacting her loved ones, and no confirmed sightings have ever been established.

The RCMP has long stated that the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are suspicious.

Detailed Case Breakdown

The disappearance of Margaret Mildred Batoche remains one of Alberta’s oldest unresolved missing persons cases and an enduring symbol of the crisis involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada.

Batoche, often called “Millie,” was a 23-year-old Indigenous woman who vanished in the spring of 1967. Nearly six decades later, investigators with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) continue to treat her disappearance as suspicious, and her family still seeks answers.

Who Was Margaret “Mildred” Batoche?

Margaret Mildred Batoche was born in 1943 and lived in the Bonnyville region of northeastern Alberta. She was also known by the surname Wanchisco and the nickname Millie.

At the time she disappeared, Batoche was described as:

1. 23 years old
2. 5 feet 4 inches tall
3. Approximately 134 pounds
4. Long black hair and brown eyes
5. Visible missing teeth
6. A skin tag or wart on her right cheek near her ear
7. A tattoo of the letter “H” on her left shoulder

According to RCMP records, Batoche was known for maintaining regular contact with her family and friends, making her sudden disappearance highly unusual.

The Disappearance in 1967

Margaret Batoche was last seen on May 26, 1967, in either Edmonton or at her family residence in Bonnyville. Her family officially reported her missing on July 7, 1967, more than a month after they lost contact with her.

Investigators quickly noted that Batoche’s behavior before disappearing was inconsistent with voluntarily leaving. She had never gone long without contacting her loved ones, and no confirmed sightings have ever been established.

The RCMP has long stated that the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are suspicious.

Discovery of Human Remains Near Tucker Lake

In 1970, approximately three years after Batoche vanished, human remains were discovered roughly 60 kilometers north of Bonnyville near Tucker Lake.

Investigators believe the remains may belong to Margaret Batoche. However, forensic technology available at the time could not provide definitive confirmation. As a result, the case remained officially classified as a missing persons investigation rather than a homicide.

The inability to conclusively identify the remains has been one of the most frustrating aspects of the case for both investigators and Batoche’s family.

Renewed National Attention

In 2021, the Government of Canada selected Batoche’s case for its “Canada’s Missing” campaign, part of the broader Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls initiative.

The campaign was designed to highlight unsolved historical cases and encourage anyone with information to come forward.

Bonnyville RCMP emphasized that public awareness remains crucial to generating new leads and providing closure for affected families.

Latest Investigation Update (2026)

As of 2026, Margaret Mildred Batoche’s case remains open and active with the Bonnyville RCMP. No suspect has been publicly identified, and no charges have been filed.

Key current facts include:

1. The RCMP continues to list the disappearance as suspicious.
2. Investigators believe the remains found near Tucker Lake are likely Batoche’s, but confirmation has not been publicly announced.
3. The case remains featured in public awareness databases and historical missing persons initiatives.
4. Authorities continue to encourage tips from anyone with information, no matter how old or seemingly minor.

Although there have been no publicly reported breakthroughs in 2025 or 2026, advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis and genealogical techniques, continue to offer hope that longstanding cold cases such as Batoche’s may eventually be solved.

Why the Case Matters

Margaret Batoche’s disappearance highlights the broader issue of Indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered across Canada, often with little attention at the time.

Her case remains significant because:

1. It is one of Alberta’s oldest unresolved Indigenous missing persons cases.
2. Human remains were found but never conclusively identified.
3. It demonstrates the limitations of earlier forensic methods.
4. It continues to impact surviving family and community members.

How to Submit Information

Anyone with information about Margaret Mildred Batoche’s disappearance can contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or visit Canada’s Missing.

Even details from decades ago may help investigators reconstruct what happened and finally provide answers to Batoche’s family.

Margaret “Mildred” Batoche disappeared in 1967, but her story continues to resonate nearly sixty years later. With renewed attention, evolving forensic technology, and public awareness, investigators and family members remain hopeful that this long-standing Alberta mystery will one day be solved.

————————
Facebook Post:

Mildred Batoche, also known as Margaret or “Millie” Wanchisco, was 23 years old when she was last seen on May 26, 1967, at the York Hotel in downtown Edmonton, Alberta.

At the time, Mildred’s family was living in Bonnyville, more than 200 kilometres away. Despite the distance, she was known to stay in regular contact with her loved ones. When weeks passed without hearing from her, concern quickly grew. On July 7, 1967, one of her brothers formally reported her missing.

From the beginning, her disappearance was considered out of character.

Investigators identified a person of interest early on, but there was not enough evidence to lay charges. That individual has since passed away.

In 1970, human remains were discovered approximately 60 kilometres north of Bonnyville near Tucker Lake. While investigators believe the remains may belong to Mildred, pathology and dental examinations were unable to confirm this with certainty. Because of this, her case remains classified as a missing persons investigation, though RCMP believe her disappearance occurred under suspicious circumstances.

Mildred’s family continues to search for answers. Her niece has spent years advocating for renewed attention on the case, emphasizing that Mildred deserves to be brought home and laid to rest with dignity.

Mildred is described as an Indigenous woman with a dark complexion and a slender build, standing approximately 5’3”–5’4” and weighing around 134–150 pounds. She had long dark brown or black hair and brown eyes. Distinguishing features include a scar on her left knee, a wart or skin tag on her right cheek near her ear, and a tattoo of the letter “H” on her left shoulder. She also had missing lower molars, which would have been noticeable, and was often seen wearing black-rimmed glasses.

If you have any information about the disappearance of Mildred Batoche, please contact:

Bonnyville RCMP: 780-826-3358 (Reference Case#: 2015428476)

Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477

Please LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE.

It boosts visibility and supports families searching for answers.

Follow for case updates & alerts across Alberta.