Body Parts Washing Ashore in Canada

I enjoy reading Canadian and British press reports, and am always eager to ferret out an unusual story away from the bias and limitations of our American Journalist. For some strange reason, the networks seem unable to handle more than about three major stories and they drive me crazy with their opinionated reports. Imagine my surprise to learn of an obscure story of three severed feet, which washed ashore off the coast of British Columbia, in the Strait of Georgia, just off the west coast of the North American continent. What a curious and grotesque find for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to investigate!

First off, I had to find out exactly where this event happened. I watch Canadian News regularly on TV, but the Strait of Georgia and Gabriola Island are definitely not in my area! As it turns out, William Yardley of The New York Times released an excellent account of the event today (March 4, 2008,) which you can access at their website. Check out my links for the direct access hyperlink to the Times article, and two others from Canada and England. The Strait of Georgia's southern end touches Puget Sound; in fact, the first severed foot was discovered on Jedidiah Island, by an American girl on vacation. The area is a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts and noted as a great site for whale watching. According to Wikipedia, it's an important channel for shipping, due to its proximity to the Port of Vancouver. The second foot was found on nearby Gabriola Island, reported by an older couple who found it during a routine walk along the beach.

Canadian Press reported that although the first two severed feet appeared last August, the latest recovery came from Valdes Island, south of the original discoveries. The Canwest News Service reported that the local assistant deputy chief coroner (Jeff Dolen) saying, "This is "the first instance of three such similar remains being discovered" in such proximity. "We'll be using pathology examinations and anthropology examinations to garner as much information as we possibly can about the remains." Apparently, severed limbs of this sort are more likely to sink, as proven in a scientific study by forensic entomologist Gail Anderson, who also indicated that sharks, seals, and other sea creatures are likely to consume such material before it's ever discovered. She stated, "Obviously there's some sort of current picking up light items and washing them to those particular areas."

My favorite on-line newspaper, The UK Telegraph, highlighted their report with the fact that the size 12 man's foot, was still wearing a "trainer," which is Brit-speak for sneaker or tennis shoe in America. Most of us Harry Potter fans have become familiar with that particular linguistic gem. All three body parts were from the right side, obviously belonging to different individuals. This has led to speculation from area residents that the severed feet might be the work of a prankster. One life-long area senior (Digby Jones , age 80) was quoted in The New York Times predicting, "The whole thing is a scam, as far as I'm concerned, all part of a big joke. If they go to the mortuaries on the mainland, you'll find some guy laughing his head off."

With each left foot being a size 12 (although some press reports indicate the size of the third shoe is being withheld for the time being,) some researchers conclude that the shape of the feet and shoes are causing ocean currents to drag the remains to this particular area. Further, running shoes tend to be bouyant, which explains why the feet did not sink and remain below the surface. Planes and even a ferry have gone down in this region, but the fact remains a size 12 left foot in a sneaker isn't what you'd expect to find while strolling along a picturesque beach, or while paddling a canoe on your summer holiday. These discoveries are unique in many respects, but most important to the investigation is that three identical body parts being found within the same area. So far, it's been impossible to identify the victims associated with these feet. The situation gradually developed into relative media frenzy in this remote area of the world. With the most recent discovery, a plethora of news agents have descended to interview the RCMP, investigators, and local residents following the story. We can only wait and wonder at further developments.

Where's Rod Serling when you need him?