In a heartbreaking development following the catastrophic flooding and landslides that swept through southern British Columbia last weekend, the bodies of three men have been recovered from a mudslide site near Lillooet, according to the RCMP.
A written statement from B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe on Saturday confirmed that one victim was found on Wednesday, with two more discovered the following day. Despite ongoing search efforts on Friday to locate a fourth missing man, authorities have sadly announced that those efforts were unsuccessful.
This tragedy marks the grim aftermath of the severe weather event, which also claimed the life of a woman, whose body was recovered from the same site earlier on Monday.
Chief Coroner Lapointe shared her deepest sympathies in her statement:
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families grieving the sudden loss of their loved ones, and to the family of the missing person who remains unaccounted for. This has been an incredibly challenging time for British Columbia, and my thoughts are with all affected communities.”
Search operations have now officially concluded after exhaustive efforts. Authorities are currently working to identify the three men and notify their families. Discussions are underway to determine the best way forward for the community and those impacted by this devastating event.
The mudslide occurred on November 15 along Highway 99 (Duffey Lake Road), where four people were initially reported missing. Weather and hazardous conditions have complicated search and rescue missions, and the highway remains closed indefinitely with no clear timeline for reopening.
As the province mourns, the BC Coroners Service remains committed to uncovering the full truth behind these tragic events and helping to prevent future losses.
