Just days after human remains were found washed ashore off Neck Point, police have been able to identify the body as a missing man.
The remains belonged to 35-year-old Ryan Pratt who was reported missing by friends on December 2nd. Pratt resided on a sailboat anchored off Hammond Bay.
At the time, RCMP in conjunction search and rescues teams were actively searching for a man whose skiff was found washed ashore on an island near Nanaimo.
An extensive search of the shoreline and nearby waters by Search and Rescue, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and RCMP West Coast Marine Services was conducted but Pratt was not located.
On Wednesday January 24th, police were called to Neck Point beach, located off Hammond Bay Road, for a report of found human remains.
At the time of the discovery officers were unable to make a positive identification due to significant decomposition. However, several tattoos were located on the remains which police used to identified Pratt.
Police took photos of the tattoos, and along with other identifying marks, allowed investigators to confirm that the remains were those of a 35-year-old man reported missing on December 2nd, 2023.
It was confirmed the deceased had been living on a sailboat moored in nearby waters off Hammond Bay Road.
The family of the deceased has been advised, RCMP Victim Services is engaged, and the BC Coroners Service is continuing its investigation.
