CALGARY – On Thursday, the Calgary Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the body of a young man discovered in the community of Acadia on Wednesday is that of Justin McKinnon-Blomme.
McKinnon-Blomme had been missing since September.
Police were called to a home in the 9800 block of Alberni Road S.E. after a woman reported finding what appeared to be a body in a tree. The homeowner, who called police around 2:30 p.m., said she had not been in her garden since last fall.
Family confirmed to Global News that the body was that of 21-year-old Justin McKinnon-Blomme.
McKinnon-Blomme was last seen getting out of a friend’s car at the intersection of Southland Drive and Acadia Drive S.E. on September 24th. He had been at a house party where he was assaulted before he went missing. A 20-year-old man was charged in connection with the assault, though police said at the time they do not believe it was linked to his disappearance.
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The family of McKinnon-Blomme says they’re grateful for everyone who helped in the search.
“We just appreciate the outpouring of love and support that we’ve had from family, friends, complete strangers,” said Justin’s Aunt Belinda Galough on Wednesday. “We’ve had people helping us across Canada.”
“As a family, we are asking for some time of privacy and peace, to be able to come to terms… and to grieve as a family.”
In a release, the Chief Medical Examiner said the death is not considered to be criminal in nature.
– With files from Janet Lore, Tracy Nagai and Lisa MacGregor
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