Human remains have been found in a cabin that was recently destroyed by a fire, sparking an investigation by the Port Hardy RCMP.
Police say that they were made aware of a cabin that had burned down back on January 19. According to RCMP, a caretaker of the cabin reported the “completely destroyed” structure, which was located approximately 30 km from Winter Harbour.
As the complainant was investigating the cabin wreckage following the fire, they found what was believed to be human remains.
RCMP say they immediately contacted the BC Coroners Service and requested members of the Campbell River RCMP Forensic Identification Section (FIS) to attend the cabin scene, where authorities ultimately determined it was a human body.
Because of the remote location of this cabin, it’s believed that the owner of an SUV vehicle found parked nearby is the deceased.
said Port Hardy Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Andy Phillips.
Preliminary findings so far have not indicated anything suspicious about this person’s death, but we will wait for an autopsy before making any final conclusions.
An investigation has been launched into the incident and Port Hardy RCMP is asking for anyone who was in the area of Hecht Beach between Jan.10 – Jan. 19 to contact the police, particularly if they have any information about the cabin fire or if they saw anyone in the area.
Investigators note are recommending that any photographs of the cabin on social media be removed. Police also say they “are aware of social media posts incorrectly identifying remains as non-human and are strongly suggesting” these posts be removed from social media as well.
The BC Coroners Service has also launched an investigation in order to determine how, where, when and by what means the man came to his death.
“Due to the privacy of the deceased, neither organization will be releasing or confirming identity,” reads a statement from police.
No other information regarding the human remains is available at this time.
Graham Cox
