Chloé DuboisRachel Kerr, a 31-year-old Scottish travel influencer from Alloa, went missing on April 25, 2026, after checking out of a luxury resort in Agadir, Morocco. For four days, her family and friends feared the worst. She was found safe on April 29 after voluntarily leaving her hotel. Her case captivated millions of followers worldwide — and prompted urgent questions about what Canadian travelers and their families should actually do when someone goes missing abroad.
What Happened to Rachel Kerr in Morocco?
Kerr was last seen leaving the SMART Nightclub in Hotel Agador in the early hours of April 25, around 5 a.m. Her phone was switched off shortly after, and she had no contact with family or friends for four days. Moroccan authorities conducted searches, and her family in Scotland described being "extremely concerned."
Kerr was ultimately located by Moroccan authorities and confirmed to be safe and well. The circumstances of her disappearance remain her private matter, but the global attention her case generated put a spotlight on a gap that millions of Canadians overlook: what actually happens when someone you love disappears in another country?
What Can Canadian Families Do When Someone Goes Missing Abroad?
Canada's consular services are available to Canadian citizens — but the process is less intuitive than most people expect.
Step 1: Contact the local police first. In most countries, a missing persons report can only be filed after 24 to 48 hours. However, if you have reason to believe someone is in danger, police in many countries (including Morocco) will act faster. Document everything: last known location, contacts, hotel name, and last sighting.
Step 2: Contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate. Canada has an embassy in Rabat, Morocco, and a consulate in Casablanca. They can assist Canadian citizens by verifying welfare, liaising with local authorities, and facilitating communication with family at home. The Government of Canada travel emergency line is available 24/7 at 1-800-267-6788 (in North America) or +1-613-996-8885 (international).
Step 3: Contact the country's emergency services. In Morocco, the police emergency number is 190 and the gendarmerie is 177. Knowing the local emergency contacts before you travel is a basic precaution most Canadians skip.
Step 4: Engage a lawyer in the destination country. If there is any suspicion of foul play, a local attorney can assist with the legal process in the destination country. Canadian consular staff can provide a list of local lawyers but cannot represent families directly.
Travel Insurance: The Gap Most Canadians Miss
The Rachel Kerr case also highlights how unprepared most travellers are when emergencies arise. Travel insurance is far more than medical coverage.
Comprehensive travel insurance can cover search and rescue operations, emergency repatriation of remains, and — critically — the costs of family members travelling abroad to assist in a crisis. Standard travel insurance does not automatically cover search costs if a traveller is reported missing; check your policy explicitly.
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage pays for non-refundable expenses if you need to cut a trip short due to a family emergency. If Kerr had been in serious danger and her family had flown to Morocco, they might have been looking at thousands of dollars in unplanned flights and hotel costs.
Assistance services. Many premium travel insurance policies include 24/7 emergency assistance lines staffed by multilingual specialists who can help coordinate with foreign authorities. This is different from simply reimbursing costs after the fact.
A licensed insurance advisor or financial planner can help you review your travel insurance coverage before your next trip abroad.
What Should You Do Before Any International Trip?
Preventive planning makes a huge difference if something goes wrong. Legal and financial experts recommend these steps:
Register with the Government of Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA). This free service allows Canadian consulates to contact you in emergencies. It takes five minutes at travel.gc.ca.
Leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home. Include hotel names, addresses, flight details, and a check-in schedule. If you miss a check-in, they should know to alert authorities.
Scan and save key documents in a secure cloud folder. Passport, travel insurance policy, emergency contacts, and local embassy phone numbers should be accessible even if your phone is lost or stolen.
Purchase a local SIM card or international data plan. Kerr's phone being switched off was one of the first alarm signals. Having a working phone number in the destination country reduces this risk.
Designate a legal emergency contact in Canada. If you're incapacitated abroad, someone at home needs legal authority to act on your behalf — particularly regarding bank accounts and property. A power of attorney document, prepared in advance with a lawyer, gives that person the authority they need.
The Rachel Kerr case ended happily. But it serves as a powerful reminder that travel emergencies can affect anyone — including Canadians heading to Morocco, Southeast Asia, or anywhere else. A conversation with a legal advisor before your next major trip abroad could make all the difference if the worst happens.
This article is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
