Man’s body found Tuesday evening off Lasqueti Island

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RCMP are trying to identify a man found in the waters near Lasqueti Island. A boater noticed the man last night around 7:30 p.m. He notified the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, which then mounted an intense search in the area. Kendall Hanson reports.

Oceanside RCMP said a man was found dead in the waters near Lasqueti Island Tuesday evening.

At around 7:30 p.m., RCMP received a report of a body in the Salish Sea. RCMP, Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit officers and the Royal Canadian Coast Guard recovered the body. Officials estimate it was in the water 24 hours.

Credit: Google Maps

“The weather was quite nice yesterday,” Maj. Justin Olsen with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said.  “The winds were light, the water was rippled. We ended up putting two 47 foot

“The winds were light, the water was rippled. We ended up putting two 47 foot lifeboats into the search plus the Royal Canadian Marine SAR unit out of Lasqueti and a cormorant helicopter. They all reported excellent search conditions.”

The body was nearly half a kilometre from Finnerty Island, northwest of Lasqueti Island.

In spite of their efforts, searchers weren’t able to find any clues as to what happened. 

“We examined every piece of water in that area,” Olsen said. “And there was no vessel that this person might have come off of so it’s a mysterious case.”

According to police, the man was approximately mid-20s, olive skin, approximately 6 feet, with an athletic build and dark, brown wavy hair down to his shoulders. He was wearing a leather necklace with two shells and a red and black beard. Police checks have not located anyone matching this description. 

One born-and-bred Lasquetian said the description rings a bell.

“It just makes me think of a guy who went missing a few days ago,” Julian Davis said. “[He was] a tourist from Chile. Didn’t speak a word of English. Kind of matches the description you gave me”

Davis said he would call police with his suspicions.

“It’s definitely weird especially on Lasqueti when this kind of stuff happens. it’s a really tight community so everyone kind of talks about it, hears about it and it’s kind of unsettling.”

The Joint Rescue Cordination Centre said people who are out boating should make sure they have a radio and charged cellphone.

Anyone who has information is asked to call Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111. 

Oceanside RCMP , VIIMCU and the BC Coroner’s Service are investigating.

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

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