Search of North Shore park for missing White Rock man turns up nothing

Forty-three-year-old White Rock resident Hai Tao (David) Liu has been missing since December 12.

Today, search crews were sweeping Lynn Canyon on kayak looking for any signs of Liu.

Cpl. Doug Trousdell with North Vancouver RCMP says the search was unsuccessful and they are still looking for Liu. But they have reasons to believe Lynn Canyon Park is a good area to look for him.

“We understand from his family that Mr. Liu travelled to North Vancouver regularly and that he was a fan of the North Shore and the mountains,” says Trousdell. “With the help of the Greater Vancouver Transit Police, we found video of Mr. Liu travelling to North Vancouver on the day that he disappeared. We know that Mr. Liu travelled into the area of Lynn Canyon and that’s where our search is focused.”

Trousdell says the transit video showed Liu got off a bus at a spot near the park and was asking for directions to the park.

Five days after Liu’s disapperance, the RCMP released new photographs captured on surveillance video, showing Liu at a restaurant in the Lonsdale Quay on December 12.

Liu was studying at West Coast College of Massage Therapy before his disappearance.

Earlier this month, his classmates posted a message on Vancouver sub-Reddit, asking people to jog their memory and call police with any information.

Cst. Shaileshni Molison with White Rock RCMP says Liu’s disappearance is very out of character.

“There is absolutely no history of disappearance, and that is what the concern is. We want to make sure he is safe. This is not a repeat offence for him,” says Molison.

Liu is described as Asian, 5’10, 155 pounds, with short black hair.

He was last seen wearing black frame glasses, a dark green jacket, blue jeans, and yellow and white running shoes.

“The police and Mr. Liu’s family remain very concerned for his well-being and we ask that people keep an eye out for him, particularly in the area of Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Creek,” says Trousdell.

Anyone with information on Liu’s whereabouts is asked to contact the White Rock RCMP or Crime Stoppers.