The B.C. Coroners Service is asking for the public’s help in piecing together the identity of a man whose body was found in West Vancouver 20 years ago.
The white male – who likely had a broken nose and scars on the right side of his head – was found in the wooded area near the 15th Street exit off Highway 1 into West Vancouver.
“It’s sad that no one is looking for this guy,” said Laura Yazedjian, an identification specialist with the B.C. Coroners Service.
The man was believed to be between 50 and 65 years old.
He had recovered – or was in the process of recovering from – a head injury as well as fractures to his elbow, right leg and ribs at the time of his death. The injuries could have stemmed from one incident like a car crash or a very bad fall, according to Yazedjian. His height is estimated to be between five-foot-five and five-foot-eight, and he was wearing a dark blue jacket, light-coloured striped shirt, jeans and black running shoes.
He likely died in 1995, probably in the late summer or early fall, according to Yazedjian.
She said she hopes the description will “jog someone’s memory.”
The B.C. Coroners Service often compares old case files and even eyewitness accounts to the unidentified remains.
“Particularly for these historical cases … we’re waiting for the right missing person to be reported missing or the right missing person’s file to be dug out of some back storage at a detachment,” she said.
Anyone with information on the cold case is asked to contact the B.C. Coroners Service by phone at 1-877-660-5077 or by email at [email protected].
