Agassiz, B.C.

: On Sunday , June 9th Agassiz RCMP, in responding to a shots fired complaint, entered into a search of a missing camper. As a result the Agassiz RCMP obtained the assistance of; Kent-Harrison Search and Rescue, Chilliwack Search and Rescue, the RCMP Lower Mainland (LMD) District Emergency Response Team, the RCMP Lower Mainland (LMD) District Tactical Troop, RCMP Air Services, the RCMP Integrated Police Dog Services, and the RCMP Under Water Recovery Team. An extensive land and water search was conducted in the area known as the "48 Kilometer" mark looking for a Mr. Raymond Salmen . On Thursday, June 13, at approximately 3:19 pm RCMP Air Services, while conducting a search, observed balloons at a secluded beach approximately 400 meters north of Mr. Salmen's camp. Upon further investigation members located what is believed to be the clothing of Mr. Salmen as well as a rifle and spent shell casings. It is also believed that the balloons were a coincidental but fortunate find as it directed the search to the secluded beach. As a result of this find Investigators concluded that Mr. Salmen may have been in a state of medical distress and in attempting to return to his camp ended on this secluded beach. Unable to traverse the beach, due to cliffs and rock outcrops, Mr. Salmen fired shots at the campers, the original complainants, to draw their attention to him. As this did not work it is believed that Mr. Salmen attempted to swim back to his camp site but did not succeed. On Friday, June 14th, as it was believed that Mr. Salmen perished while swimming, an extensive water search was conducted. "This section of Harrison Lake is very deep" advises Cpl. Len vanNieuwenhuizen" The water rapidly plunges to a depth of a 160 meters". The search was unsuccessful. On Saturday, June 15th the search for Mr. Salmen was significantly scaled down. " We have unfortunately concluded that Mr. Salmen perished in Harrison Lake. The depth of the Lake and the sunken physical features of logs and boulders present challenges in locating Mr. Salmen" advises Cpl. Len vanNieuwenhuizen

The Agassiz RCMP will continue to patrol the area. Next of Kin have been notified and are grateful to all agencies who participated in the efforts to locate Mr. Salmen