Comox Valley RCMP have confirmed a body has been found, less than one kilometre from the car of missing Saanich woman, Shirley Burstall.

Burstall, 75, was last seen in Ladysmith at a gas station on April 5. It was revealed she'd left home on March 31 after an argument with a family member. She planned to drive to Tofino, but never arrived.

On Monday, Burstall's car was found on a gravel road off the Strathcona Parkway, at the base of Mount Washington.

"She was not expected in our area," said Comox Valley Constable Nicole Hall.

An extensive search was launched, including Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue and helicopters, then just as the parties were about to turn in on Wednesday night, a police dog picked up a scent.

Local RCMP say they've found the body of an older woman in the woods, but are not yet ready to confirm her identity. Still, the Burstall family has been notified that their loved one may have been found.

"It wasn’t the outcome we wanted," Shirley's daughter Chris Burstall has been quoted as writing on Facebook, "We really wanted to thank the searchers, the RCMP and the Saanich police — they’ve been amazing.”

Burstall's purse was found in the trunk of her car and police say everything appeared to be in order.

It is too early to tell how long the body had been there.

The death is under investigation by RCMP and the Coroners Service.

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