Finger pointed at Canada's RCMP over death of skier

A couple from Montreal spent nine days in the backcountry in British Columbia before the RCMP decided to launch a search.

The couple, Gilles Blackburn, 51, and his wife Marie-Josee Fortin, 44, were staying at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C. The couple were experienced skiers. They left on February 15 and got lost when they went out of bounds. They tried to find their way back leaving SOS signs behind them. The only food the couple had were two granola bars.

Two days later, a skier noticed the SOS. The discovery was reported to the resort. The resort investigated whether any vehicles were left abandoned, any rental equipment was missing, and whether any missing persons reports were filed with hotels. The investigations turned up nothing. The couple had parked in an underground garage.

Numerous SOS signs were spotted left behind by the couple, yet a search party was not launched until February 27. By the time the party was launched, Fortin had died.

You can read more on the Globe & Mail website and also and at CTV.