WATCH: A North Vancouver dentist and father of 5 is still missing after a boating accident in Howe Sound. The body of his young daughter has been recovered. John Hua explains what we know about the family and why friends are refusing to give up hope.
Sunshine Coast RCMP say the body of a six-year-old girl was found in the waters off Gambier Island following an investigation into an unoccupied boat found adrift late Saturday.
Investigators believe the girl, Maddie, was on the boat with her father, a 60-year-old man from North Vancouver, who is still missing.
Global News has learned the missing man is doctor William Liebenberg — a popular dentist on the North Shore.
He is originally from South Africa and the owner of the Westview Dental Clinic in North Vancouver.
In a statement from Lori Harman, Liebenberg’s business partner and friend, she says:
Dr. William Liebenberg immigrated to Canada from South Africa with his four daughters and wife Heather twenty two years ago. Six years ago William, together with Wendy, were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter Maddie. William’s five daughters are his pride and joy.
William opened the Westview Dental Clinic approximately twenty years ago. He designed his office with a special “jungle” themed room just for the kids and grew a successful family practice. William is passionate about dentistry. He has lectured world wide and is published in many peer reviewed journals. But his main joy in dentistry is the close relationship he has developed with his patients, which whom he considers to be his family.
William has never been idle. He has a long resume of pursuits as artist, teacher and cabinet maker among other talents. William is an avid cyclist riding to and from work everyday, mountain biking on the weekends and racing in events such as the Gran Fondo. But William is known best for his kind sincere heart and generosity.
RCMP are investigating Liebenberg’s disappearance and are working with the B.C. Coroner’s Service to try to determine the circumstances of the Maddie’s death. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre says the incident is now considered a missing person’s case.
The Coast Guard called RCMP at 9:30 p.m. on July 25 after the boat was found in the waters off Anvil Island, near Lions Bay. Police say it appeared the boat had recently been occupied.
“While there is no indication of foul play at this time, we have not ruled anything out, and are working diligently to try to find out what happened,” said Cst. Harrison Mohr with Sunshine Coast RCMP.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of this girl and her father.”
Police are asking anyone who may have seen a six metre aluminum hard-top boat, beige in colour, in the area between Lions Bay and Gambier Island during the late afternoon or evening hours of Saturday, July 25, to call Sunshine Coast RCMP at 604-885-2266. Please quote file number 15-5037.
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