42-year-old Mike Leier of Sooke was a father of two young kids, a husband and a son. He was found dead Sunday night and RCMP have labelled his death suspicious. The Vancouver Island Major Crime Unit is now investigating.
Leier and his wife Heather, a local business leader and volunteer, are well known and beloved in Sooke according to those who know them. Now the entire community is grieving. Among them is Sooke Mayor Maja Tait who has known Heather Leier for years.
“I think everyone is just dealing with the impact of this news that’s hitting all of us in different ways,” said Tate. “My heart just breaks for [Heather’s] family.”
RCMP say they were called to the 8500-blk of West Coast Road Sunday night around 9:45 p.m. for a man needing medical attention. They say early investigation shows he was likely injured in a remote wilderness area near Jordan River.
While there was no update on the investigation Friday police confirmed nothing indicates there’s a threat to the general public.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Heather Leier and her two children to help with things like daily costs, childcare, and funeral arrangements as the young family grieves. By Friday afternoon it had nearly reached its $10,000 goal.
“You are in our hearts, we’re thinking of you, Sooke is standing strong, we’re right there with you,” said Tate.
The family has asked for privacy so Tate says the best thing those in the community can do is to donate to the GoFundMe to ease at least some of the burden on the grieving family.
April Lawrence
