Brenda was last seen by family on May 6, 1961. On May 7, Mother’s Day, while staying over at a friend’s house, 12-year-old Brenda Byman reportedly walked out of Wilmer towards Lake Enid with four other youths, and never returned. Hundreds of searchers combed the area surrounding the lake, but Brenda’s body was never located. According to police records, Brenda went hiking with Vivian Barrett, Edward Carson, John Carson and Elwood Godlien, to go swimming at Lake Enid, five kilometres north of Wilmer. Vivian and Edward left the group, leaving Brenda, John and Elwood at the lake. Some have accused the boys who were last with Brenda with her disappearance, while others speculate that she was picked up by a passerby or got lost in the bush.
