Lake Cowichan RCMP say a man who was last seen in Duncan earlier this month has been found deceased, and his death is considered suspicious.
Joseph Alexander Smith was last seen in Duncan on May 2, and reported missing on May 7.
On May 14, Lake Cowichan RCMP received a report that a body was found in a remote forested area west of Lake Cowichan.
“Initial evidence gathered at the scene led investigators to believe criminality was involved,” said Cpl. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the RCMP in British Columbia. “Unfortunately, the deceased was identified as 42-year-old Joseph Alexander Smith.”
Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) is now taking over the investigation into Smith’s death with the assistance of specialized units, including the RCMP Forensic Identification Section and Police Service Dogs.
Police are asking for anyone with information, including dash cam footage near the Ditidaht Main logging road and North Shore logging road on May 4, 2023, is asked to contact the VIIMCU information line at 250-380-6211.
Laura Brougham
