TORONTO – One of the largest missing persons cases in Durham’s history might have come to an end as an autopsy is conducted on a body believed to be that of missing runner, Jeffrey Boucher.
Boucher disappeared January 13 after going on an early morning run. There was no trace of him until March 11 when one of his shoes was found near the Heydenshore Pavilion.
A person found a body Saturday on the shoreline near the border of Whitby and Oshawa.
It’s not clear how he got there but police don’t believe there was any foul play involved.
“There’s nothing to suggest foul play. Nothing, all along, has suggested foul play,” said Dave Selby, a spokesperson for the Durham Regional Police Service.
Selby went on to note the size of the investigation.
“It’s taken a lot of resources,” Selby said.
“A huge turnout from citizens, volunteers, people that used to run with Mr. Boucher helped us a lot, so it’s probably one of the largest missing persons investigation we’ve ever been involved with.”
And Boucher knew a lot of people. He had taught in the area for 25 years and was an avid runner. Charlotte Filip, the Principal at Bowmanville High School where Boucher taught, said she only knew him for a short time but he left an unforgettable impression.
“Jeff is a good teacher. And certainly went above and beyond to do what was right for kids and was very, very involved. The more you get involved in life within your school the more connections you make, so yeah, this is tough for the kids and for the staff,” she said. “It was difficult. And I think sometimes, that no news is hopeful news, somehow. So it was certainly tough to hear over the weekend.”
Filip noted that Boucher also coached various teams and led class trips.
“He was a real integral teacher, and an integral part of BHS,” she said.
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