RCMP have confirmed that the human remains found on a beach along Neck Point Park on Tuesday were that of a man who was reported missing in December.
Police say 35-year-old Ryan Pratt’s body was discovered by someone walking along a beach in the park around 10 a.m. on Jan. 24.
Pratt, who had been living on a sailboat moored off Hammond Bay road, was reported missing by friends on Dec. 2.
He was last seen one day prior using a small skiff to return to his boat.
The skiff and a canoe that Pratt also owned were found washed ashore soon after, but he was not with them.
A large-scale search, which involved the RCMP West Coast Marine Services and Search and Rescue and Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, was conducted at the time, but crews were unable to locate him.
Mounties say Pratt’s body was found in an advance state of decay, but tattoos on his remains helped identify him.
“The family of the deceased has been advised, RCMP Victim Services is engaged and the BC Coroners Service is continuing with their investigation,” said RCMP in a release Friday.
With files from CHEK’s Laura Brougham
Adam Chan
