Family of missing woman attempts new search
Fundraiser in Scarborough this weekend
It has been a year since 20-year-old Christina Calayca went missing during a camping trip in Northern Ontario, but her family hasn't given up hope of finding her dead or alive.
"We're heartbroken, devastated we can't find her," said Calayca's aunt and godmother Karen Caguicla, who fears the young woman was a victim of foul play.
"With no news, there is always hope she is out there somewhere, but reality is that I do think she is in heaven. That is really difficult, you still want to believe (she is alive).
"We want an answer and to give her peace. If she is there (dead in the woods), she deserves a proper burial."
The family is holding a fundraiser Sunday in Scarborough to raise money to launch a new search for Calayca before fall weather sets in.
The young woman went missing Aug. 6, 2007 while camping at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, 200 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
Calayca was camping with her cousin and two friends when she and a firefighter friend went out for a morning jog.
She stopped when she got tired. Her friend left her to return to her campsite while he continued running.
Authorities feared Calayca, who had no experience camping in the bush, become disoriented in the extremely dense woods of the 575-hectare park and failed to find her way back to the campsite.
An exhaustive search with police dogs, all-terrain vehicles, planes, helicopters and marine units failed to turn up any sign of Calayca.
Two months ago, the OPP renewed their search, including using cadaver dogs, but again could not find any trace of the missing woman.
Praising the police for their efforts to find her niece, Caguicla fears Calayca was a victim of foul play.
The inexperienced camper would have stuck to well-marked trails and would never have tried to "muscle" her way through the dense bush, Caguicla said.
Calayca suffered from a long-term foot injury as a result of not seeking medical attention right away when she stepped on a sewing needle. The injury left an inflamed callous on her foot that made standing for long periods painful, Caguicla said.
Calayca was not depressed and would not have harmed herself, she added.
The religious young woman, who at one time headed the downtown chapter of Youth for Christ, was busy organizing a large church youth rally.
Members of the youth group, which Calayca remained active in, held a moving vigil for the missing woman shortly after her disappearance at Scarborough's Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 265 Alton Towers Circle southeast of Steeles Avenue and McCowan Road.
More than 600 people packed the pews, with dozens more standing at the back of the church, to pray for Calayca's safe return.
Calayca also worked at a daycare, which held a vigil for her Wednesday, and loved the children she cared for.
Calayca was also a "second mother" to her younger brother, Michael, and was planning to attend York University to pursue a teaching career.
"She was a very positive, spiritual person," said Caguicla, who thanked the community for its support over the last year.
Sunday's fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Victoria and Albert Pub at 1921 Lawrence Ave. E at Warden Avenue.
There is a $5 charge for the barbecue but the family is also hoping participants will contribute to attractions such as carnival games and a car wash.
For more information about Calayca, visit www.findchristinacalayca.com.
