Body of missing Ohio filmmaker found in B.C. wilderness - Action News
Home WebMail Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 10:39 PM | Calgary | -6.2°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
British Columbia

Body of missing Ohio filmmaker found in B.C. wilderness

The body of a missing Ohio hiker and filmmaker has been found in northern B.C., almost five months after he disappeared.
Warren Andrew Sill, 26, last spoke to his family on July 4. He told them he was near New Hazelton, B.C., filming a documentary about the rare white Kermode bear. (RCMP)

The body of a missing Ohio hiker and filmmakerhas been found in northernB.C.,almost five months after he disappeared.

Warren Andrew Sill, 26,came to the Gull Creek area of New Hazeltonto film a documentaryabout rareKermode bears, also known as 'spirit'bears.

Sillwas reported missing in July. An extensive search involving RCMP police dogs, an ATV, a helicopter and a number of volunteersdid not find him.

Terrace Search and Rescue volunteers found a green shirt in Whiskey Creek on Nov. 10. (Terrace SAR/RCMP)

RCMP Const. Lesley Smith says a local search and rescue team was at Whiskey Creek area a week ago.

Smith said that because water levels in the creek and waterfall pool areas are much lower at this time of year,searchers were able to access hazardous areas that are underwater other times of year.

Searchers navigated waterfalls, chutes, and pools in Whiskey Creek. (Terrace SAR/RCMP)

On Saturday Nov. 10, the team came acrossa green shirt frozen in debris above a 4-metre waterfall in Whiskey Creek.

The team returned Friday to the waterfall, equipped with ropes and swiftwater search equipment.

Searchers descended below the waterfall and, in a debris jam of logs, sticks, and rock, the teamlocated and recovered a body.

Smith said the body was sent to Vancouver, where dental records confirmed that it was Andrew Sill.

She said it is unlikely anyone will ever know howhe died.

On Friday, searchers located the body of Andrew Warren Sill in a debris jam. (Terrace SAR/RCMP)

"Well it's pure speculation at this time. I don't think we'll ever know," she said.

"But, due to the fact that it was near a waterfall, you know, two options here: it's possible that he may have fallen into this area, into the terrain that that location is well-known forthe steep terrain. Or, he was swimming," Smith said.

With files from the CBC's Stephanie Mercier