B.C.’s police watchdog clears Lumby RCMP of wrongdoing in death of missing person

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has cleared Lumby RCMP of any wrongdoing in the death of a missing person.

The body of the missing person was found by a family member shortly after RCMP suspended their search due to weather concerns. Police also hoped the missing person might return once the police presence was gone, according to a report by IIO B.C.

RCMP officers responded to a missing person in Lumby around 1 a.m., Dec. 29, 2020. They searched with the help of police dogs, but officers eventually suspended their search around 3:30 a.m. the next day.

The person was later found by a family member around 4 a.m. and health services later attended the scene. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The IIO investigation determined, after reviewing evidence and a statement from the family member, police were not at fault and their actions were reasonable.

The cause of death has not made clear in the report, however, IIO chief civilian director Ron MacDonald has previously said it could have been a self-inflicted death.

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