Body of man missing from psychiatric facility found in Kamloops Lake

The body of a missing Vernon man, David Melanson, was found in Kamloops Lake yesterday afternoon.

Around 1 p.m. on May 13, Tk'emlups Rural RCMP received a report of a body found in the lake near Frederick Road, and confirmed it was 21-year-old Melanson upon arrival at the scene, according to a Kamloops RCMP news release.

Kamloops RCMP reported him to be missing on Wednesday, May 12, and after searches in the area, his body was found in Kamloops Lake.

Melanson's brother, Steven Melanson, said David was a patient at South Hills Psychiatric Centre in Kamloops where he had been in care for two days. 

Steven said his brother was previously in care at Hillside Centre for "a couple months" before he was transferred.

The 21-year-old was reported to be missing around 1 a.m. on Wednesday with sweat pants and a T-shirt, but no socks or shoes.

South Hills is a 20-bed tertiary rehabilitation centre, which focuses on individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Patients can only be referred by physicians to the rehabilitation facility.

Kamloops RCMP say B.C. Coroners Service are investigating the cause of his death.

Anyone with information related to this file can contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file number 2021-15570.

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