The body of a 15-year-old girl reported missing early this week was found near the Frame Lake Trail Tuesday morning.
Cassidy Giroux was last seen Friday evening in Yellowknife and was reported missing on Monday.
The missing person report prompted an air and ground search, carried out by the Yellowknife Ground Search and Rescue, as well as Civilian Air Search and Rescue (CASARA), which went late into the evening Monday.
The search resumed early Tuesday morning.
photo courtesy of the RCMP
Around 9:15 a.m. a search team made the tragic discovery.
Giroux's body, according to police, was found "off of the Frame Lake Trail, between the streets of Matonabee and Albatross."
A postmortem examination still needs to be completed but investigators do not believe foul play or criminality was involved in the sudden death, stated Const. Heather Cosenzo in a news release issued late Tuesday afternoon.
NWT Coroner Services are continuing to probe the death alongside RCMP.
"Yellowknife RCMP are saddened to confirm that the decedent is Cassidy Giroux, of Yellowknife," stated Tuesday's news release.
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends, classmates, and all those affected during this difficult time and Yellowknife RCMP would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by Yellowknife Search and Rescue, CASARA, the media and the community," it continued.
Anyone with information that could assist police in the ongoing investigation is asked to contact Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111.
Cassidy Giroux remembered as 'a very personable girl'
Cassidy Giroux was a Grade 10 student at St. Patrick High School, said Claudia Parker, superintendent of Yellowknife Catholic Schools.
“She was new to our school this year,” said Parker. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her. I know that she’s a very personable girl.”
With permission from the family, they hope to have a celebration of her life at the school "to provide closure for students,” she said.
In the meantime, the school has set up a quiet room where students can go if they need to leave class and counselling services have been made available across the school district.
“Our condolences to the family and our prayers are with the family,” said Parker.
“It’s very sad to lose a youth, any youth, but she’s so young. And it’s just really sad the circumstances in regards to the loss of Cassidy.”
With files from Meaghan Richens.
Updates to follow.