RCMP say the body of a missing North Vancouver woman was found Saturday afternoon by a hiker near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
76-year-old Joan Warren had been missing since Friday morning, after she walked away from her care home in the 900-block of Lynn Valley Road around 9 a.m.
She was supposed to be wearing a bracelet that prevented her from leaving the building without notifying staff. Warren had dementia.
RCMP say a hiker came upon the body of a woman matching Warren’s description around 3:30 p.m. Saturday near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
Initial observations suggest she died of hypothermia. The BC Coroners service is now involved in the investigation and will be determining exact cause of death.
Police believe she had been out in the elements since the time of her disappearance Friday morning. Overnight temperatures dipped as low as -7c overnight Saturday into Sunday.
” This brings a very sad and ill-fated ending to the many hours of exhaustive searching by numerous citizens, volunteers, Search and Rescue staff and police,” said Cpl. Richard De Jong of the North Vancouver RCMP. “
This is a tragic outcome, with the North Vancouver RCMP extending their sincere condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Joan Warren.”
De Jong said the community of North Vancouver pulled together in their “exhaustive” search for Joan, and those efforts “reflect the strong community spirit experienced in North Vancouver.”
Tim Jones of North Shore Search and Rescue issued the following statement on their Facebook page Sunday night:
Our team extends our heartfelt condolences to a very loving family for the loss of their mom Joan.
I want to personally thank the man whom I know for finding Joan. We deeply thank you.
Our team was so overly awed by the effort of the public and support by our media and the RCMP in trying to find Joan. Just tremendous.
Respectfully, Tim Jones
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