Dossier nº 2009-35254
2009-10-28 15:36 PDT

RCMP and BC Coroners Service Confirm Discovery of Remains in Running Shoe

Vancouver, BC: The RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating the remains of a right foot found on Oct. 27, 2009 on the beach at No. 6 Road and Triangle Road in Richmond.

Yesterday evening, two men were walking on the beach and located what appeared to be a foot in a white Nike running shoe, size 8.5. Members of the Richmond RCMP, the Forensic Identification Section and the General Investigation Section attended the scene, and seized the shoe and its contents.

The remains were turned over to the BC Coroners Service, where a forensic autopsy was conducted and it was confirmed they were human. Additional forensic examinations are underway. The Police and Coroners Service uses information on physical characteristics from exams by forensic pathologists and anthropologists, along with DNA analysis to build a profile to be used to determine
identification.

Prior to this most recent discovery, the RCMP "E" Division Major Crime Section led by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, the Richmond RCMP, the Delta Police Department and the BC Coroners Service have been involved in the investigations of six feet in running shoes discovered along the B.C. coastline. This first was identified and associated to a deceased male. The two female feet found in Richmond matched in Dec. 2008, the two male feet found on Valdez Island and Westham Island matched in July 2008, and the male right foot found on Gabriola Island in Aug. 2007, remain unidentified.

There has been no evidence to date to support foul play in relation to these discoveries and it appears that all remains separated from the body, disarticulated, through a natural process.

Investigators are continuing with their efforts to identify the remains in all these cases.

No further information is available at this time. Please continue to monitor our website for updates.

Anyone who has any information regarding the identity of the victims, are asked to call their local police department or the BC Coroners Office identification tip line at 1-877-660-5077.

Please direct media inquiries to Cpl Annie Linteau, “E” Division Strategic Communications Section, (604)264-2929 or Terry Foster, BC Coroners Service, (604) 660-7752.

Courriel : bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca