DNA links foot found in B.C. to missing man
Last Updated: Saturday, July 19, 2008 | 9:13 AM PT
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
Video
- Susan Pedler interviews RCMP spokesperson Pierre Lemaitre (Runs: 1:51)
- Play: Real Media »
- Play: QuickTime »
One of five human feet found off the British Columbia coast since last August has been identified as belonging to a man who was reported missing from the B.C. Lower Mainland last year, according to the RCMP.
An RCMP spokesman said familial DNA was used to match the foot to a depressed man whose name has not been released. Foul play in the case is not suspected, Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre told CBC News on Saturday.
He said police plan to hold a news conference on Monday to release more details.
"We were able to notify the family yesterday, and out of respect for them, they asked that we give them at least 48 hours to get together as a family with other relatives and deal with this development," Lemaitre said.
In the last year, five feet have washed up on small islands in the Georgia Strait and Fraser River, each encased in a running shoe.
Police have said that none of the feet appears to have been intentionally severed, but likely detached through a natural process.
Police showcased the running shoes during a news conference earlier this month in the hopes of solving the cases.
Lemaitre said investigators told another family on Friday that the feet are definitely not those of two relatives who died in a plane crash off Quadra island in February 2005. The bodies of brothers Doug and Trevor DeCock were never found in the wreckage.
Meanwhile, a coroner in Washington state said on Friday that he will be talking to the B.C. Coroners Service about a body found 16 months ago on Orcas Island in the San Juan archipelago.
Despite the torrent of publicity over the five severed feet in recent weeks, San Juan County coroner Randall Gaylord said he did not advise B.C. investigators about the discovery until Thursday.
Gaylord said the body did not have a right arm, left hand or any feet. The body was discovered five months before the first of the five feet was discovered on B.C.'s Jedidiah Island.
Gaylord said he advised B.C. investigators about the discovery on Thursday after reading a newspaper article about the case recently.
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- Holmes Hydro can proceed without environmental assessment
- The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that a hydro-electric development in northeastern B.C. should be allowed to proceed without an environmental assessment. more »
- British classic car show held in Vancouver
- Hundreds braved the drizzle to check out the annual All British Field Meet in Vancouver on Saturday, which showcased more than 600 classic British cars. more »
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- A 20-year-old woman died Saturday during an event for Jeep enthusiasts held in a parking lot just west of downtown Edmonton. more »
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford cancels weekly radio show
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will not be hosting his weekly radio show this weekend after explosive allegations that he was recorded on video appearing to smoke crack cocaine. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Rescue attempt over for New Brunswick fishermen
- The rescue attempt for two missing fishermen has been called off in New Brunswick, hours after one body was found. more »
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- A 20-year-old woman died Saturday during an event for Jeep enthusiasts held in a parking lot just west of downtown Edmonton. more »
- Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to 'earthling' life
- Canada's space ambassador, Chris Hadfield, is still readapting to life on this planet after spending 146 days in zero gravity as commander of the International Space Station. For now, though, he's taking his homecoming one step at a time. more »
- Winning ticket sold in Florida for $590M Powerball jackpot
- A lottery official says one winning ticket has been sold in Florida for a record Powerball jackpot of more than $590 million. more »
- Holmes Hydro can proceed without environmental assessment
- Public raising funds to buy alleged Rob Ford crack video
- British classic car show held in Vancouver
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- RCMP has 'no interest' in discussing harassment suit settlement
- Police urge boaters to be safe on the water
- B.C.'s largest Ahmadiyya mosque opens in Delta
- B.C. climber killed jumping to avoid falling rock
- First Nations chief asks to meet B.C. premier over pipelines

