NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2011PSSG0101-001089 Aug. 31, 2011

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General BC Coroners Service

 

Coroner investigates remains found in False Creek

 

BURNABY – The BC Coroners Service has launched a forensic investigation to identify human remains found on Tuesday afternoon in False Creek in Vancouver.

 

An autopsy performed this morning revealed that there was no obvious evidence of trauma or mechanical disarticulation.  The leg appeared to have disarticulated naturally at the knee after lengthy exposure to water. A sample was collected and submitted for DNA analysis this afternoon.  Additional forensic experts will be consulted during the course of this investigation. 

 

The foot is the eighth to be found on or near the coastline of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the southern Gulf Islands since August 2007. The BCCS has so far confirmed the identity of four of the previous seven feet. Our agency continues to work with the RCMP and municipal police departments to identify the other three feet, which belong to one female and one male. 

 

Three human feet have also been found on Washington State beaches. The BCCS continues to maintain links with the Washington State authorities on these cases.

 

Quote:

Coroner Stephen Fonseca – 

“The BC Coroners Service will be utilizing its identification management model in combination with the assistance of Vancouver Police Department Major Crime and Missing Persons Units, the BC Police Missing Persons Units, and the RCMP Behavioural Sciences Group.”

 

Contact:

Stephen Fonseca

Office of the Chief Coroner

604 660-8219

 

For more information on the BC Coroners Service, visit: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/index.htm

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect