Human remains identified as Vida SMITH

We can now confirm that the remains located in Banff National Park, belong to Vida SMITH.

Vida SMITH was reported missing to police in July 2020 after she failed to return to her Chestermere home. On July 31, 2020, CPS charged Kevin BARTON, aka Chris LEE, with one count of manslaughter in Vida’s death.

Since then, we have worked tirelessly to locate SMITH’s remains, and in October 2022, we received information about a possible location. Due to weather conditions and the terrain in the area, it was not possible to conduct a search during the winter months. On Tuesday, May, 9, 2023, officers revisited the site, located near a rest stop off the eastbound Trans-Canada Highway, east of Banff, where they located the remains.

Last week, The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and confirmed the remains belonged to Vida SMITH.

As BARTON/LEE has already been convicted of manslaughter in relation to SMITH’s death, no further information will be released.

Case #CA20299322/3828