May 21 - Westshore RCMP find missing man's remains

Good morning !

Our first story involves a missing man’s remains found during a Westshore RCMP drug investigation.
Our second deals with whales beached on the Island—three of them, now.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️16 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌤️17 / 9

Friday: 🌤️15 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

Searching trailer park home, Westshore RCMP recover remains of man missing since last March

Kielan Hall was 23 when he was last seen walking from Cooper to Admirals on Mar. 14, 2024. Fourteen months to the day, police executing a search warrant in a drug investigation found his remains. 

Last Wed., police were searching a home in a mobile home park on the Songhees Reserve when they found human remains. 

A second search warrant was conducted on the same property, and investigators were able to confirm the remains as being Kielan Hall, who was reported missing last March 26.

The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) is investigating the circumstances surrounding Hall’s death.

Anyone with any pertinent information is asked to please contact VIIMCU by calling their information line: 250-380-6211.

The man’s family shared news of his death on a social media page dedicated to finding him. The family asked for privacy as it grieves.

“West Shore RCMP extends its condolences to Kielan Hall’s family and friends during this difficult time,” its release says.  

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Botanical Beach in Juan de Fuca Park closure this weekend. [BC Gov’t]

Missing teen: Jaxsen Swain was last seen Sat. in Colwood. [Info/photo]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

3rd beached whale this month will star in rebuilt museum

The mammal found dead by a Port McNeill walker last Wed. is the first Bryde’s whale recorded in BC, according to the Marine Education and Research Society. The range of these baleen whales typically only extends up to Southern California.

Fisheries and Oceans began a necropsy, with results expected in a few months, after the ‘Na̱mǥis First Nation held a blessing ceremony. Chief Victor Isaac said in a release that the nation is “very concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans” and will work with researchers to understand how the whale came to be there and to die.

The nation plans to donate the body to the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove—just 25km down the road from where the whale was beached. 

The Centre's operators are rebuilding the museum and its extensive skeleton collection after a Dec. 30 fire. Rebuilding of the cove's iconic boardwalk began this month. 

Grey whales also washed up twice this month

The first was in Tofino on May 6 and the second on Haida Gwaii on May 11. The Tofino whale is from the Eastern North Pacific population, which has federal “special concern” risk status. Tla-o-qui-aht members harvested the whale after a ceremony, with community members working together to learn how to handle the body and use as much of it as possible.

Grey whales pass through Island waters from April to June as part of the longest seasonal migration by any mammal.

These whales were killed en masse by commercial whaling, but have rebounded after a moratorium in 1946. They still face many threats: ship strikes, entanglement, orcas, consuming plastic and other pollutants, and declining food resources in warming waters. Hundreds—many of them malnourished—have been stranded in Unusual Mortality Events in recent years.

Read more about grey whales at Capital Daily.

SPONSORED BY WEST COAST REACH ASSOCIATION FOR VICCIR

The Hope and Belonging Benefit Concert

More than 60 wonderful singers, dancers, and other outstanding performers will bring pure joy to audience members in support of VICCIR (Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees). Featured are Olena Kolibaba (Ukrainian violinist), Jeremy & Tiffany Miton (dynamic dance duo), Laura Deviato & Olimpo Ortega (Italian-Canadian singer/songwriter & Cuban-Panamanian percussionist), the inspiring REACH! Performing Co & Children's Chorus, and Mariachi Sin Frontera (Mexican folk music).

May 24, 7 pm at Quadra at Balmoral. Get your tickets here!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🚜 Saanich Parks & Public Works Yard tour tomorrow 1-3pm.

🎵 "The best thing I’ve ever seen!" If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot closes on May 25.*

💼 Sprott Shaw College Healthcare open house & career fair tomorrow 5-7pm.

🎫 Tickets are on sale now for TEDxVictoria 2025: 14 speakers, bold stories, and the ripple effects of powerful ideas. Guarantee your seat before they’re gone.*

📸 Victoria Parade 1966: See photos of the parade from six decades ago, featuring winners of the Miss Victoria pageant. [Facebook photos] *Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Man arrested for possession of fentanyl, loaded handgun at downtown supportive housing unit
The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by VicPD’s Strike Force unit—which probes and identifies dangerous offenders—and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT). Police said they searched the unit near Siwft and Store and found 1kg of fentanyl, a loaded 9mm handgun, and $40K in cash. A 62-year-old man was charged with possession for trafficking and outstanding warrants issued in Victoria and Saanich. [VicPD]

Saanich survey results don’t appear representative of the community 
The district’s pulse survey, conducted every two years, found most of the 1,980 respondents identified themselves as white and over the age of 45, something which doesn’t match the diversity of Saanich’s population. “This is not reflective of our municipality,” said Coun. Colin Plant, who suggests quotas might have to be used in future surveys. The survey’s findings suggest fewer people seemed happy to live in Saanich compared with the results from 2022. [Times Colonist]

What to do if you come across a seal pup alone on a beach
It’s harbour seal pupping season, so lone seals may not be abandoned and could just be waiting for mom. Best practices: don’t approach, touch, pick up, or feed the animal. Stay back and keep your pets away, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society’s “Be Seal Smart” campaign says. The society encourages people to use a zoom to take a photo of the animal and send it to its hotline at 604-258-SEAL (7325), along with the location. If you see a marine animal in distress or being disturbed, call Fisheries and Oceans at  1-800-465-4336.

Victoria Grizzlies looking for new coach and GM, as Ferster flies
The BCHL club, along with Rylan Ferster, who served as both head coach and general manager, mutually agreed to part ways, the team said yesterday in a release. Ferster was in his second stint with the Grizzlies/Salsa organization and ranks sixth in league career coaching wins. The Grizzlies were dispatched from the playoffs in five games, one round short of the final, by the Chilliwack Chiefs. [Grizzlies]

🗓️ Things to do

🎶 Ziggy Alberts: The Australian singer-songwriter brings his music to Victoria as part of his New Love tour. Royal Theatre. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎤 Louise Rose—Alone Together: Legendary Canadian jazz vocalist Louise Rose takes the stage for an intimate evening of music. Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

📖 Double Book Launch: Bill Gaston & Clea Young: Celebrate two acclaimed BC authors as they launch Tunnel Island and Welcome to the Neighbourhood with readings, Q&A, and signings. Munro’s Books. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🤣 Phillips Comedy Night at The Mint: Laugh the night away with top local comedians. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎤 Mahesh Kale Live: One-night only. India's National Award-winning vocalist is renowned for his specialization in North Indian classical, semi-classical, natya-sangeet, and devotional music. McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🍷 An Evening with Ursa Major and Bella Wines: A special night at Part and Parcel featuring a collaborative dinner with winemakers sharing their stories and a special menu. Fri.  8pm. [Info]

🧀 Brew School: Beer & Cheese: A guided tasting that pairs local beers with artisan cheeses, featuring expert commentary. Vessel Liquor. Fri. 7pm. [Info]

🪴 Free Spring Repotting Event: Bring your plant and get expert help repotting it at this free, drop-in event. Soil and advice provided—just bring a pot or buy one on site. VI Plant Shop. Sat. [Info]

🐉Awakening Chinatown: Celebrate Asian Heritage Month with performances, food vendors, and cultural exhibits in Victoria’s historic Chinatown. Sun. 12pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: BC Lions hit the turf in Langford; E-bike, e-scooter program coming to Westshore and golf carts to downtown Vic; US doctors look to BC. [May 20]

Canada Post workers to go on strike again on Fri. [CBC]

Grocery prices continue to rise, says Stats Can. [MSN / CP] 

Alternative Approval Process on new Saanich ops centre to begin today. [CHEK]

Island teen first Canadian to win prestigious US equestrian competition. [Black Press]

UVic Sports Hall of Fame grows. [Times Colonist]

Ducklings & their reflections in Island waters. [VanIsleWildlife]

The waves, sun, & rocks of Botanical Beach on Pacheedaht territory. [Colin Smith Takes Pics] 

That’s it!

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