POLICE on Bowen Island have confirmed that a body found floating in the waters of Snug Cove Thursday morning was that of an island resident who had been missing since July 30.
Doug Mitchell, 59, lived on a boat in the cove with his dog and was well-known on the island.
He was last seen on his boat around 9 p.m. that night and was reported missing the next day.
Since then, police dive teams and volunteers from the island had been searching for him.
The crew of the Queen of Capilano ferry spotted Mitchell's body as the ferry was preparing to leave the dock. Bowen Island RCMP were called out for the recovery.
Cpl. Don Southern, spokesman for the detachment, said Mitchell's death is believed to be accidental and foul play is not suspected.
"Everything would indicate he slipped in the water and drowned," said Southern. "All of the physical signs pointed to that."
One friend who posted about Mitchell on an online forum described him as having "a great sense of humour and a sense of the absurd."
"He always had sage advice for me," she wrote. "He will be missed by many."
