By Spencer Sterritt

Unidentified remains map sees great success in first week

Apr 2, 2019 | 6:42 PM

NANAIMO — Morbid curiosity has led to quick success for a new initiative from the BC Coroners Service.

The interactive map of unidentified remains found in recent decades throughout the province garnered significant interest since opening to the public last week.

“We saw an increase in traffic of over 50 times what we saw the previous day,” Andy Watson with the service told NanaimoNewsNOW. “I know it’s generated a lot of interest and calls coming in to both BC Coroners Service and the RCMP.”

The vast number of unidentified remains are in the Vancouver-area.

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While there are none around Nanaimo, there are five within a roughly 40-minute drive.

Oceanside:

• A man between the ages of 40 and 55 was found in November 1992 on the banks of the Englishman River. He was dressed for a winter day of walking through nature. Of note was the fact he had US currency on him at the time of death.
• A man between the ages of 30 and 48 was discovered by Parksville RCMP in Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park in February, 1990. The remains were lying in the park for 50 years before being discovered. It’s the oldest case of remains found in the area.

Gulf Islands:

• The earliest unidentified remain in the area was discovered on Salt Spring Island on New Year’s Eve, 1976. The man passed away no more than a month before he was discovered.
• A long-undiscovered body was unearthed on April Fools Day, 1993. The man was estimated to have died between 20-to-50 years before.
• A man was found in Crofton in September 1984. He was between 37 and 65 and dressed for a normal fall day.

Watson said each and every case is an open wound, an unanswered story for a family somewhere.

“I can’t imagine being a family member who has a loved one that’s gone missing and maybe they haven’t had a conclusion on what happened to their loved one.”

He said the true measurement of success for the initiative is how many cases it helps close.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit