Darreld Rayner’s remains were found near Lake Cowichan in December, 2017. Credit: Alberni Valley Crime Stoppers
Human remains found near Lake Cowichan in December have been identified as those of Darreld Stanley Rayner, who went missing in May 2007.
Rayner, a Lake Cowichan resident, was 52-years-old when he went missing on May 7, 2007. He was last seen walking his dog, a Jack Russell Terrier.
RCMP and search and rescue crews found the dog that night but Rayner was not located. Helicopters and tracking dogs were used during the search, which went on for several days. Rayner became the subject of a missing person investigation and witnesses around southern Vancouver Island were interviewed.
Rayner’s remains were found on Dec. 22, 2017, near South Shore Road. The BC Coroners Service said the area where the remains were located was steep and secluded. The BC Coroners Service, Cowichan Search and Rescue and RCMP all took part in the recovery. The Special Investigations Unit and the BC Coroners completed the DNA analysis.
The BC Coroners Service said the investigation is ongoing and no other details are available at this time.
Alexa Huffman
