Investigation launched after body of missing woman found in woods

RCMP officers are in the beginning stages of an investigation into a woman found deceased in the Nictaux area.

At approximately 7:25 a.m. Monday morning, a 32-year-old woman was found by ground search and rescue volunteers in a wooded area.

Police told The Canadian Press that Kerstin Marie Wetter was last seen Sunday at a residence on Highway 10 in the community of Nictaux, N.S. At the time of her disappearance, officials said they were concerned for her because she was considered a vulnerable person.

RCMP Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay, a spokesperson for the RCMP in Nova Scotia, said police could not say why she was considered vulnerable due to privacy regulations.

However, Tremblay said police might consider someone to be vulnerable based on their age, the possibility that they could be the victim of a crime like intimate partner violence or human trafficking, or if there’s known substance abuse.

He said police also take into consideration medical conditions, mental health challenges, housing issues, and the local weather conditions.

Tremblay said they also consider any information that suggests the person was involved with “high risk activities, such as risks surrounding persons involved in the sex trade.”

“Our thoughts are with the woman’s loved ones at this difficult time,” RCMP said.

The investigation is in its early stages and RCMP are being assisted by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner to determine a cause of death.