Whistler and Pemberton, BC Mystery: Disappearance of Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall
Missing Persons Report: Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall
Case Overview
Jonathan Jette, age 34, and Rachael Bagnall, age 25, vanished on September 3rd, 2010 (Friday), while hiking in a mountainous region north of Pemberton, British Columbia, near Whistler. The couple, both experienced outdoor enthusiasts, were last seen preparing for a 2-3 day climb in the rugged backcountry of the Sea to Sky Corridor.
Personal Details
- Jonathan Jette
- Age at Disappearance: 34
- Physical Description: Approximately 5’8”, slender build, 154 lbs, brown hair (receding), and hazel eyes. Likely dressed in outdoor gear suitable for hiking, including a backpack and sturdy boots.
- Background: Described as an avid hiker with knowledge of the local terrain, Jette was familiar with Whistler and Pemberton’s trails.
- Canada's Missing Profile: Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall
- Rachael Bagnall
- Age at Disappearance: 25
- Physical Description: Approximately 5’6”, medium build, 146 lbs, blonde curly shoulder-length hair, and blue eyes. Likely wearing hiking attire, possibly including a jacket and outdoor pants.
- Background: Bagnall was also an experienced hiker, often exploring the backcountry with Jette. The couple shared a passion for outdoor adventures.
- Canada's Missing Profile: Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall
Circumstances of Disappearance
On September 3rd, 2010, Jette and Bagnall set out for a 2-3 day climb in the Pemberton area, north of Whistler, British Columbia. Specific details about their intended route are scarce, but the region is known for its dense forests, steep cliffs, and unpredictable weather, even in early September.
The couple did not return as expected, prompting friends to alert authorities. Their vehicle was located, but they left their cell phones behind, an unusual choice for experienced hikers. It has been suggested that this was possibly to disconnect or to avoid tracking. No distress signals were reported.
Search Efforts
A large-scale search was launched, involving Whistler Search and Rescue, RCMP, and volunteer teams. The operation covered remote trails, valleys, and forested areas in the Pemberton-Whistler corridor, lasting over a month. Despite extensive efforts, including aerial support, no trace of Jette or Bagnall was found—no clothing, equipment, or remains. The rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and wildlife likely obscured evidence, complicating the search.
A Pique Newsmagazine article by Alison Taylor, published on September 1st, 2011, offered poignant details on Jette and Bagnall’s disappearance. The couple, described as soulmates, stopped at Tim Hortons in Squamish before parking at Spetch Creek Forest Service Road, aiming for Valentine Lake. Lacking a map, compass, or GPS, they relied on a scrambling guidebook. Over 2,000 search hours, including a 2011 family-led effort, found only nail clippers and a fire pit. Memorials honored Bagnall in Prince George and UBC, and Jette in Vancouver. Read more at Pique Newsmagazine.
Theories and Commentary
The disappearance of Jette and Bagnall has fueled speculation due to its alignment with other mysterious cases in the region. Several theories have emerged:
- Environmental Misadventure: The Pemberton area’s challenging landscape, with sudden drop-offs, fast-moving rivers, and dense forests, could have led to an accident.
- Foul Play: The decision to leave phones behind raises questions. Some, including researcher David Paulides, author of Missing 411, suggest this could indicate an intentional act to evade detection, though no evidence supports foul play.
- Lost or Disoriented: Despite their experience, the couple may have underestimated the terrain or become disoriented.
- Connection to the “BC Triangle”: BC's topography is contributor to the missing cases, in my opinion.
Community and Media Impact
The case garnered significant attention due to the couple’s active lifestyle and the absence of clues. Whistler and Pemberton communities rallied during the search, with local media covering the story extensively. The case remains a topic in true crime circles and is featured in David Paulides’ Missing 411 series. Paulides’ theories, like many on my blog, are speculative and not officially endorsed by authorities.
Current Status
As of July 2nd, 2025, Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall remain missing. No new leads have surfaced, and the case is classified as unresolved by the Sea to Sky RCMP.
Commentary
I agree with most opinions regarding this case, that leaving the phones behind remains a large clue. I could think of a good reason why you might do that. Mainly, if you felt that space was entirely limited in your packing. However, phones are too small to be too burdensome and the costs-benefits of including them are worth it for hiking.
That the batteries would have died during a 2-3 day hike is not too relevant. Hikers often power off their phones to save for emergencies.
What stands out with this case is that they went missing as a couple. I profiled some missing hiker's and the risk factors a few years ago on this blog. The cases I looked at involved individuals hiking alone for the most part. In cases where people hiked in groups, the missing person often disappeared during a separation of some sort. But the other members of the group were the ones who reported the person missing (ie. they did not go missing themselves) and that's what makes a couple going missing on the same hike a bit odd.
It is, in fact, hard to accept two hikers going missing on the same hike as anything but very improbable. Usually, if one hiker suffers a mishap then the other goes for help. I don't how to calculate two hikers suffering separate mishaps on the same hike but it's improbable for sure. As for both hikers suffering a mishap that disappeared them simultaneously, of course that is possible and the imagination could run wild with scenarios.
On that matter, as food for thought, I will suggest that a bear with mange or one that is simply facing below-average body fat in the fall or late summer might attack two hikers. This has happened before, in fact, it happened in 2023 in Banff at about the same time of year.
Similar Case That Has Been Resolved: Banff Bear Attack, 2023
A CBC News article by Kylee Pedersen, published on October 1st, 2023, reported the deaths of a common-law couple and their dog in a grizzly bear attack in Banff National Park, Alberta, on September 29th, 2023. The experienced backcountry hikers, camping in the Red Deer River Valley, sent a 5 p.m. check-in message before a GPS alert signaled the attack at 8 p.m.
Harsh weather delayed responders, who found the couple deceased and euthanized the aggressive bear. The case details did note that the bear had below normal body fat, suggesting that a bear facing hunger in the fall might be more likely to attack people than bears that found their normal food sources.
Getting back to the case of Jette and Bagnall, bears around Pemberton go into hyperphagia in late August or September. This is when they are storing body fat for hibernation.
Similar Case That Has Been Resolved: José and Stephanie Perez
A Metro News article, published on May 9th, 2025, details the disappearance of José Luis Perez, 64, and Stephanie Elizabeth Perez, 65. This is an interesting case, in my opinion, as it is about people who vanished in July 2024 while hiking near Sunrise and Autumn Trails in Thousand Oaks, California.
Reported missing after Stephanie failed to log in for work, their belongings, including their phones, were left at home. A hiker found their skeletal remains in May 2025, revealing gunshot wounds—José’s death ruled a suicide, Stephanie’s a homicide. The case remains under investigation. Read more at Metro News.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment