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Salmo RCMP Seeks Public Help in Locating Missing 28-Year-Old Woman from Shambhala Music Festival
The Salmo Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is calling on the public to help locate Kayla Boisvert, a 28‑year‑old woman who vanished from the Shambhala Music Festival on the night of July 27. Authorities say Boisvert was last seen at about 2:15 a.m. on Monday, July 27, and was reported missing on Tuesday, July 28.
Boisvert stands 6 ft (183 cm) tall and was described as having long blonde braids, black hair, and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance she wore a blue head scarf, an oversized graphic T‑shirt, and multicoloured scarves. The RCMP’s public‑information officer urged anyone with information to call 250‑357‑2212.
The Shambhala Music Festival, an annual four‑day event on the Bundschuh family farm near Salmo, has become a staple of the West Kootenay music scene. Founded by Jim “Jimmy” Bundschuh, the festival takes place in the Salmo River Ranch, a 60‑km tributary of the Pend d’Oreille River that winds through the grounds.
The festival’s history of missing‑person incidents has cast a shadow over its otherwise vibrant atmosphere. In 2022, Harsha Paladugu, a 30‑year‑old Californian, went missing after attending the event. A four‑day search involving more than 100 teams, RCMP helicopter and drone support, recovered Paladugu’s personal belongings, credit card and receipts, but yielded no further clues. The following year, a Calgary man’s body was found in the Salmo River one day after the festival, identified only by divers hired by the festival to clear debris.
The current search for Boisvert follows a similar pattern. RCMP investigators are coordinating with local search and rescue teams and deploying aerial assets to cover the festival grounds and surrounding area. The festival’s organizers have issued statements expressing concern and urging attendees to remain vigilant.
The rural setting of the Shambhala festival presents unique challenges. Dense forest, riverbanks, and uneven terrain can impede ground searches, making the RCMP’s use of drones and helicopters essential for a broader view of the area.
The incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols at large outdoor events. While the festival employs security personnel and medical staff on site, the disappearance of an attendee raises questions about crowd monitoring and emergency response procedures. The RCMP has not released details about any changes to its search strategy.
Boisvert’s family has not yet issued a statement. The RCMP has requested that anyone who may have seen her or who has information about her movements after 2:15 a.m. on July 27 come forward.
The Shambhala festival is scheduled to run from July 25 to July 28, 2026. Organizers have not announced any changes to the event schedule in response to the missing‑person case. The festival’s website lists the lineup and ticketing information, but no updates regarding safety measures have been posted.
At this time, the RCMP has not identified any suspects or determined a cause for Boisvert’s disappearance. The investigation remains open, and the search continues in the days following the report.
The case highlights a broader issue of missing persons at large public gatherings. Canadian authorities have noted an increase in missing‑person reports at festivals in recent years, prompting calls for improved monitoring and rapid‑response protocols.
The RCMP’s call for public assistance underscores the importance of community involvement in missing‑person investigations. Anyone who may have information about Kayla Boisvert’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Salmo RCMP at 250‑357‑2212.
In summary, Kayla Boisvert, a 28‑year‑old woman, disappeared from the Shambhala Music Festival in Salmo on July 27. The Salmo RCMP is conducting a search with local teams and aerial assets and is seeking public help. The incident follows previous missing‑person cases linked to the festival, including Harsha Paladugu in 2022 and a Calgary man found in the Salmo River in 2023. The festival continues as scheduled, but the investigation into Boisvert’s disappearance remains ongoing.
Boisvert stands 6 ft (183 cm) tall and was described as having long blonde braids, black hair, and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance she wore a blue head scarf, an oversized graphic T‑shirt, and multicoloured scarves. The RCMP’s public‑information officer urged anyone with information to call 250‑357‑2212.
The Shambhala Music Festival, an annual four‑day event on the Bundschuh family farm near Salmo, has become a staple of the West Kootenay music scene. Founded by Jim “Jimmy” Bundschuh, the festival takes place in the Salmo River Ranch, a 60‑km tributary of the Pend d’Oreille River that winds through the grounds.
The festival’s history of missing‑person incidents has cast a shadow over its otherwise vibrant atmosphere. In 2022, Harsha Paladugu, a 30‑year‑old Californian, went missing after attending the event. A four‑day search involving more than 100 teams, RCMP helicopter and drone support, recovered Paladugu’s personal belongings, credit card and receipts, but yielded no further clues. The following year, a Calgary man’s body was found in the Salmo River one day after the festival, identified only by divers hired by the festival to clear debris.
The current search for Boisvert follows a similar pattern. RCMP investigators are coordinating with local search and rescue teams and deploying aerial assets to cover the festival grounds and surrounding area. The festival’s organizers have issued statements expressing concern and urging attendees to remain vigilant.
The rural setting of the Shambhala festival presents unique challenges. Dense forest, riverbanks, and uneven terrain can impede ground searches, making the RCMP’s use of drones and helicopters essential for a broader view of the area.
The incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols at large outdoor events. While the festival employs security personnel and medical staff on site, the disappearance of an attendee raises questions about crowd monitoring and emergency response procedures. The RCMP has not released details about any changes to its search strategy.
Boisvert’s family has not yet issued a statement. The RCMP has requested that anyone who may have seen her or who has information about her movements after 2:15 a.m. on July 27 come forward.
The Shambhala festival is scheduled to run from July 25 to July 28, 2026. Organizers have not announced any changes to the event schedule in response to the missing‑person case. The festival’s website lists the lineup and ticketing information, but no updates regarding safety measures have been posted.
At this time, the RCMP has not identified any suspects or determined a cause for Boisvert’s disappearance. The investigation remains open, and the search continues in the days following the report.
The case highlights a broader issue of missing persons at large public gatherings. Canadian authorities have noted an increase in missing‑person reports at festivals in recent years, prompting calls for improved monitoring and rapid‑response protocols.
The RCMP’s call for public assistance underscores the importance of community involvement in missing‑person investigations. Anyone who may have information about Kayla Boisvert’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Salmo RCMP at 250‑357‑2212.
In summary, Kayla Boisvert, a 28‑year‑old woman, disappeared from the Shambhala Music Festival in Salmo on July 27. The Salmo RCMP is conducting a search with local teams and aerial assets and is seeking public help. The incident follows previous missing‑person cases linked to the festival, including Harsha Paladugu in 2022 and a Calgary man found in the Salmo River in 2023. The festival continues as scheduled, but the investigation into Boisvert’s disappearance remains ongoing.
