The body of a man believed to be the third of three young men missing in Sooke was recovered Tuesday afternoon near Sooke River Road.
The bodies of two other men were found Sunday.
“Our thoughts are with the families of all three of the victims and all those who have been and are impacted by this terribly tragic event,” Sooke RCMP Staff Sgt. Brett Sinden said in a statement.
“We would like to thank all the volunteers who have assisted in the search over the course of the last few days.”
Cory Mills, Eric Blackmore and A.J. Jensen, all 20, are believed to have been travelling in a pickup truck that ended up in the Sooke River on Friday night or early Saturday.
Police think the truck was driving along Sooke River Road in heavy rain and that the road was covered in fast-moving water. Investigators say there is no evidence of foul play or intoxication.
Juan de Fuca search-and-rescue manager Kathryn Farr said the river rose more than six metres from Friday to Saturday and then began to recede after the rain stopped.
“It dropped quickly, so each minute and hour that it dropped — that opened up our search area because it exposed more ground,” she said.
By Tuesday, the receding river exposed previously hidden areas and searchers walking along the shoreline were able to spot a body underneath the water, Farr said.
“It’s not the outcome that we hoped for,” she said. “We’re always hoping to find a live subject. That’s the goal and that’s why we’re here. But at least we have an outcome and we found this boy and his family can grieve.”
The search focused on both sides of the river from Sooke River Potholes Provincial Park to the Sooke basin and included members of search-and-rescue teams from Juan de Fuca, Metchosin and Cowichan as well as firefighters, police, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and the Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization.
“We’re all really tired,” Farr said. “We’re really grateful that we have an opportunity to serve this community the way that we do and we’re really glad that we were able to bring some closure for the family and friends involved.”
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait expressed the district’s condolences to the men’s families, friends, co-workers and acquaintances.
“I think for many it’s still a time of shock and a very deep grief,” she said, prior to the discovery of the third body. “These were ... youth with a future and all the hope in the world ahead of them. It’s not the news we had hoped for.”
Tait also thanked all the search-and-rescue volunteers and individuals who rallied and brought their trucks and gear to help search for the young men and help their families.
“There’s a very wide circle here,” she said.
The Sooke School District issued a statement offering its condolences to the men’s families and friends.
“They were all a part of our school family, having graduated from Edward Milne Community School,” the district said. “This is a tragic loss and horrific event for the families to have to endure.
“We are supporting students and staff impacted by this loss by ensuring counselling support is available in our schools. Our thoughts are with those who are struggling at this time.”
An online fundraising page set up for the families of the three men had raised more than $16,000 as of Tuesday evening.
“It is very sad and heartbreaking to have to update this fundraiser with the news that the body of A.J. Jensen has been found,” said a note posted to the page on Tuesday.
“Please take a moment and say a prayer for the families and friends of these three boys. The love of all of Sooke is directed to them in this tragic time — we as a whole are heartbroken.
“Much love to all the search and rescue teams and volunteers for all that they have done. RIP Cory, AJ, and Eric — your community will wrap its love around your families and friends.”
