Vehicle linked to man missing from Creston area since 2004 recovered from Kootenay River
CRESTON — Human remains believed to be those of a man missing from the Creston area since 2004 have been found inside a submerged vehicle recovered from the Kootenay River.
Creston RCMP said a volunteer search-and-recovery dive team assisting the family of George Franklin Davis located the vehicle Sept. 24 near a site commonly known as Old Ferry Landing. Davis was reported missing from the Creston area in July 2004.
Human remains were found inside the vehicle. Investigators later determined that its description and licence plate were consistent with records associated with Davis, according to an RCMP update issued Oct. 2.
The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team attended the site Sept. 28 and assisted with recovering the vehicle from the river.
Police believe the remains are Davis's based on the vehicle and the circumstances of the discovery, but his identity has not been formally confirmed. Forensic analysis and confirmation by the BC Coroners Service are still pending.
RCMP said the evidence gathered so far does not indicate a suspicious death and police do not suspect foul play. The force has not said how the vehicle entered the river or disclosed a cause of death.
The BC Coroners Service is responsible for confirming the identity of human remains in sudden and unexpected deaths. Provincial policing standards require a missing-person investigation involving recovered remains to remain open until the Coroners Service confirms the remains are those of the missing person and the closure is reviewed by a police supervisor.
RCMP said the investigation remains ongoing while it awaits the forensic results and confirmation from the Coroners Service.
Human remains believed to be those of a man missing from the Creston area since 2004 have been found inside a submerged vehicle recovered from the Kootenay River.