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UBC professor missing, last seen on Salt Spring Island

Police and search and rescue crews are looking for a missing woman who was last seen on Salt Spring Island.
ELLIOTT
Sinikka Gay Elliott. Police and family are concerned for her well-being. (Photo supplied by BC RCMP)

A University of British Columbia professor has been missing since Wednesday and police are asking for the public's help in finding her. 

Salt Spring Island RCMP was notified on May 12 at 2:15 p.m., that Sinikka Gay Elliott left her home to "do some errands" and vanished. 

Elliott is believed to be a resident on Salt Spring Island and has not been seen or heard from since she left.

Both police and search and rescue teams began scouring for Elliott at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Search and rescue members located Elliott's vehicle on Juniper Place Road, but say she was not in the vehicle. 

UBC's president and vice-chancellor took to social media to ask people to contact police with any information. 

"UBC sociology professor Sinikka Elliott is missing in Salt Spring," Santa J. Ono said on Twitter. "Please contact the RCMP if you have any information about her." 

The department also tweeted about its faculty member.

"Please share, particularly if you have networks in B.C. My colleague (and former @ncsu prof) Sinikka Elliott is missing. So many prayers for her safe return," said Annie Hardison-Moody. 

On the university's website, Elliott is listed as an associate professor who has research in family, inequality, gender, sexuality and social policy. She attended Dalhousie University and the University of Texas at Austin. 

"Police and family are concerned for Sinikka’s well-being," says Cpl. Madonna Saunderson.

Elliot is being described as 5'3" tall with a slim build and dark brown short hair. She was wearing a red sweater, jeans and brown boots. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salt Spring Island RCMP at 250-537-5555.