A heartbreaking outcome followed a missing persons search earlier this week near Paradise Pools, just outside Duncan.
According to North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, a report came in on June 10th about a person last seen the day before in the area around the popular swimming spot.
Search and Rescue crews were brought in to assist, and sadly, the individual was later found deceased in the river.
Police say criminality is not believed to be a factor at this time. Investigators are now speaking with witnesses and working closely with the BC Coroners Service to determine what happened in the lead-up to the man’s death.
RCMP have not released the person’s identity and say the body was located the same day the individual was reported missing.
Notably, Cowichan Search and Rescue confirmed to Victoria Buzz that they had also responded to a separate call hours prior—June 10th—when they successfully rescued a missing teenager from the same general area.
“We found him around 3 a.m. and had finished the rescue by about 6 a.m.,” said a spokesperson for Cowichan SAR. “We were then called in the next night to look for another missing person in approximately the same area. Unfortunately, that one ended up being a recovery.”
It’s unclear whether the two incidents are connected. When Victoria Buzz reached out to North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP to clarify, they did not respond in time for publication.
Anyone who was in the area or has information that may help with the investigation is asked to contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
