Police and coroners have confirmed the human remains discovered on October 2 in Townsite are those of missing Powell River man Charles Yvon Mercier.
Confirmation comes almost a week after Mercier’s mother, Wilma Tworek, announced on social media that she was notified by police the remains discovered were those of her son.
Powell River RCMP constable Tim Kenning said even though police have identified the remains, many questions linger about Mercier’s death.
“We’re looking for anyone with any information with regards to where they last saw Mercier and how we was,” said Kenning.
The 35-year-old Powell River man was reported missing on September 22 and police employed aerial and ground searches three days later to try to locate the man.
Mercier’s remains were discovered on October 2 near the Wildwood bridge alongside Powell River, but it is unclear how they were located, or by whom. The crime scene near the banks of the river was secured for a week while investigators scoured the area looking for evidence to help establish how Mercier arrived at that location. BC Conservation Officers Service were also on the scene.
In total, it took 13 days for police to publicly release the identity of the remains. “It takes time to identify human remains with 99 to 100 per cent certainty,” said Kenning. “It’s an ongoing, elaborate police investigation.”
He explained that in cases such as this investigators employ DNA testing and dental-record comparisons to make positive identification, though he said he could not comment on the specific process undertaken to identify Mercier.
Kenning was also unable comment on the role conservation officers played in the investigation.
RCMP has not ruled out foul play in the case. “That’s the question that we want answered,” said Kenning. “That’s why we want to talk to everyone involved so that we can make those distinctions.”
If there was a threat to public safety that police were aware of they would be obligated to provide that information, he said.
“We don’t have any reason to think that the public is not safe,” said Kenning, “so we’re being sensitive on the information being released.”
Police are asking for anyone who may have spoken with Mercier or encountered him in his final days to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous call CrimeStoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or go to bccrimestoppers.com.
