Danielle LaRue, a 24-year-old from the Shuswap First Nation, vanished from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in November 2002. Despite a life marked by hardship and survival, her disappearance remains unsolved, and her story is a painful reminder of the many victims whose lives are lost and whose families continue to wait for justice.
What Happened: The Disappearance of Danielle LaRue
Danielle LaRue, who had endured years of physical and sexual abuse as a child, disappeared in November 2002 from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. At just 13 years old, she had run away from foster care and spent much of her youth living on the streets. Despite her own struggles, Danielle was known for fiercely protecting her younger brother and sister.
At the time of her disappearance, Danielle was reportedly working in the sex trade, a tragic reality for many women in Vancouver’s marginalized communities. Her disappearance was initially met with little attention, but an anonymous letter sent to the Vancouver Police Service on New Year’s Eve of 2002 would bring a chilling new twist to the case.
The Anonymous Letter: A Grieving Confession
The letter, dropped anonymously at the Public Service Counter of the Vancouver Police Service, provided a haunting account of what happened to Danielle. The writer described the woman as a “Vancouver prostitute” who had gone missing at the end of November 2002, with long black curly hair, jeans, a black leather jacket, tattoos, and jewelry. The letter’s author admitted responsibility for her death, stating, “I did not intend this but am still responsible.”
The writer expressed deep remorse and claimed to have brought flowers to her grave, a gesture meant to show respect for the woman they had killed. They wrote, “She will not be unmourned,” but also acknowledged the tragedy they had caused. Despite the details provided in the letter, the woman described is believed to be Danielle, yet no trace of her has ever been found.
The Ongoing Search for Justice
The Vancouver Police have not made any arrests in the case, and Danielle’s killer remains unknown. Despite the passing of years, her family continues to wait for answers, and the pain of losing her is still fresh. Her story is part of the broader tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, many of whom face violence and injustice in silence.
A Life Remembered
Today, we remember Danielle LaRue, a woman whose life was tragically cut short. Her resilience and her love for her family are remembered by those who knew her, and her story continues to shed light on the ongoing issue of violence against vulnerable individuals in society.
Closing Line
Though Danielle LaRue’s physical presence is gone, her memory remains alive in the hearts of those who loved her. As her case remains open and unresolved, we honor her life, her struggles, and the fight for justice that continues in her name.
