RCMP confirm 2 bodies found in U.S. belong to missing Vancouver Island kayakers

The Sidney/North Saanich RCMP has confirmed that two men who were reported missing on April 20 while kayaking have been found dead.

Daniel MacAlpine, 36, and Nicolas West, 27, went missing while kayaking near Central Saanich on April 20.

A large-scale search involving multiple agencies was launched over the weekend, but they were not located in Canadian waters.

On April 22, Sheriff Eric Peter with San Juan County confirmed that two bodies were found near Grandma’s Cove on the southwest side of San Juan Island, or roughly 30 kilometres from Victoria by sea.

The identities of the two men were not confirmed by the San Juan County Coroners service until later, RCMP said on Wednesday.

“Sidney/North Saanich RCMP would like to thank all the agencies that were involved in this search and subsequent recovery efforts,” said Staff Sgt. Wayne Conley of the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP in a statement Wednesday.

“Our thoughts are with the families at this time,” he said.

SEE PREVIOUS:

• APRIL 23: U.S. authorities confirm two bodies found during search for B.C. kayakers
• APRIL 22: Kayak found, search continues for kayakers on Monday: RCMP
• APRI: 21: Search efforts underway for two missing kayakers off Central Saanich

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