U.S. woman missing in N.B. found dead
RCMP advises that remains of Gretchen Fitzpatrick, 57, who was last seen near border near Woodstock in July, have been discovered, and spokesperson says foul play isn't suspected
A Massachusetts woman believed to be missing on the Canadian side of the U.S./Canada border near Woodstock this summer has been found deceased, the RCMP announced Wednesday.
The Western Valley region detachment of the RCMP issued a missing-person advisory in September about Gretchen Fitzpatrick, 57, of Hyannis, Mass.
“Gretchen Fitzpatrick was last seen on July 14, 2025, near the border crossing in Woodstock, N.B.,” the release said, noting that her car was found deep in the woods in Chapmanville, N.B., about 70 kilometres north of Woodstock, on Sept. 7.
The RCMP issued a plea for tips from the public on Fitzpatrick’s whereabouts, and it urged people to check trail cams or remote camps in the area for any sign of her.
However, in an update posted to social media Wednesday morning, the Western Valley region detachment announced Fitzpatrick’s body had been found.
“The 57-year-old woman from Hyannis, Mass., who was reported missing to police on Sept. 11, 2025, has been located deceased,” it said.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and community at this time.”
As the updated release didn’t indicate if foul play was suspected in her death, the Fredericton Independent reached out to the RCMP to inquire about that possibility.
“At this time, foul play is not suspected in this case,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Matthew Leblanc-Smith wrote in an emailed response Wednesday.
“Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing any additional details.”
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.