Canadian woman's remains have been found 12 years after she went missing

The remains of Canadian woman Madison 'Maddy' Scott have been discovered by police 12 years after she was reported missing.

The case of Madison Scott, who was 20 years old when she was reported missing, has been a high-profile one for years, with billboards regularly cropping up around her hometown and surrounding neighbourhoods asking for tips.

Madison was last seen on May 28, 2011, at a campsite near Hogsback Lake, a spot just 25 kilometres from her hometown of Vanderhoof, British Columbia.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced this Monday (May 29) that remains had been found at a rural property relatively close to Hogsback Lake, which had since been identified as Madison's.

Help Find Madison Scott

The RCMP confirmed in a statement that they were in the process of executing a warrant on the rural property where her remains were found, and that Madison's family had been notified.

They didn't specify when exactly Madison's remains were discovered, or how the discovery came about.

The statement, issued by Cpl. Madonna Saunderson, said: "We can confirm that the property is associated to the discovery of Maddy who has been positively identified by BC Coroner's Service.

"The Scott family has been advised and they have asked for privacy at this time. Many areas of support remain in place for the family.

"This has been a priority investigation for the RCMP over the past 12 years."

She noted that the investigation into Maddy's disappearance and death is still 'active and ongoing', and that foul play 'has not been ruled out.'

That being said, Saunderson added that she wasn't aware of any danger to the public related to this new discovery, per CBC.

Help Find Madison Scott

The last known sighting of Madison was around 3.00am on May 28, 2011. She had gone missing from the camping grounds, where she had been celebrating a friend's birthday, along with her phone and her car keys.

In response to the RCMP's discovery, those who run the website 'Help Find Madison Scott' issued their own statement.

It read: "We have held onto hope for 12 long years that Maddy would be found alive. Now we know she is truly missing from our lives.

"Her presence brightened and warmed the world, now the air is colder, the sky has darkened, sadness fills me, tears well in my eyes. It is so wrong she is no longer with us. My thoughts go to Eldon and Dawn. We are here to support you in anyway we can. Just know so so many people are thinking of you and Maddy, and grieving with you, on your unfathomable loss."

Help Find Madison Scott

The discovery of Madison's remains comes shortly after the RCMP marked the 12th anniversary of her disappearance.

"Madison was a vibrant, free-spirited, loyal, and kind individual," read their statement.

"When not hard at work at her parent's family business, Madison immersed herself in family/friends, hockey, softball, and photography.

"This year, Madison would be 32 years old. She would likely be immersed in her career and may even have gotten married and had children.

"Madison's family have missed out on watching her become a wife, mother and aunt. Madison and her family deserve justice and closure."