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One year later, still no answers in mysterious killings of Squamish men

Dan Archbald and Ryan Daley victims of homicide after going missing mid-May, 2018
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In memoriam: Dan Archbald, and Ryan Daley.

More than a year after the Vancouver Island homicides of Dan Archbald, and Ryan Daley, which sent shock waves through Squamish and beyond, the investigations into their deaths remain active and ongoing, according to the RCMP's Sgt. Janelle Shoihet.

Archbald and Daley initially went missing mid-May 2018, after docking at Ucluelet upon return from a two-month sailing trip to Panama.

Archbald was currently a resident of Squamish and Daley had called Squamish home, but also had property in Jordan River, outside Victoria.

An intensive and public search effort lasted weeks.

Two bodies were discovered in a wooded area near Ucluelet about a month later. The bodies were eventually identified as those of Archbald, 37 and Daley, 43.

"There is nothing to provide as far as an update at this time," Shoihet said in an email to The Chief, adding law enforcement continues to seek information from the public on the case.

 The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Vancouver confirmed in early July last year that it was assisting the RCMP in its investigation into the deaths.

“DEA has 92 foreign offices in 70 countries, and we routinely assist and collaborate with our international law enforcement partners sharing critical intelligence information,” U.S. Department of Justice spokesperson Jodie Underwood told The Chief at the time when asked why the DEA would be helping with a case in B.C.

This week, the DEA spokesperson said it is a Canadian investigation and referred The Chief to Shoihet.

Meanwhile, Archbald’s widow, Leah Bliss, said she has faith in law enforcement.

 "I am confident the police are doing everything they can to catch the person or people who did this," she told The Chief in an email.

"I have always felt that whoever could do such a thing is already lost. Although I would like to see them caught so they can never do this to anyone else, for myself, it will give me no solace — it will never bring Dan back."

Bliss said she is focussed on her girls and is trying to get used to life without her partner.

"I pray wherever Dan is he has found peace: that his spirit can help to guide and protect his daughters as they continue to grow and develop on their own paths. They are such beautiful little girls," she said.

"There isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t think about Dan and all that we’ve lost. It’s part of our story now. But there is still a lot of life and love and we are trying our best to think about all that we have and not all that we have lost. It’s not easy. I see Dan and our loss in everything around me, but it’s what we have to do. Concentrate on the future, not the past."

Bliss said she is grateful for the support the family has continued to receive in Squamish during this difficult period.

 “We are so thankful to have lived in a place with so many good people.”

Anyone with information about the homicides can contact their local police, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit or to remain anonymous, CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).