Image Credit: BC Coroners Service

By James Peters

Remains Identified

Human remains found 49 years ago finally identified as missing Kamloops man

Jan 28, 2021 | 11:29 AM

KAMLOOPS — DNA evidence has identified human remains found nearly 50 years ago on one of the Gulf Islands as a Kamloops man.

According to an RCMP news release issued Thursday (Jan. 28), the 41-year-old Kamloops man was last seen in Coquitlam on May 27, 1967. His family reported his disappearance and RCMP launched an investigation that remained open for decades.

On August 20, 1972, human remains were found on a Saturna Island beach. Saturna Island lies in the Strait of Georgia, directly south of Point Roberts.

Investigators could not establish the identity of the remains and they remained buried on Salt Spring Island until advances in the investigation led to their exhumation in September, 2020.

Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says a DNA profile was finally secured after a “lengthy scientific process” and it was matched with DNA from the missing man’s daughter, which was obtained in 2014.

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“Through scientific advancements in identification processes, we are now able to solve such historic cases. In this instance, we were able to piece together the puzzle that had been challenging us on Salt Spring Island since in 1972,” said Eric Petit, Director of the BC Coroners Service Special Investigations Unit.

The family has asked RCMP not to identify the man, but shared this message: “Thank-you from the family to all RCMP members, the coroners, and the team involved in dedicating their time and efforts to bring this missing persons case to a close.”