Image: R.Seifried, via U.S. National Park Service / Human remains found last year inside a suitcase at Ross Lake in Washington state, accessible only through a road south of Hope, are those of a Canadian.
Remains found at Ross Lake

Remains found in suitcase at Ross Lake, south of Hope, are those of a Canadian

Jan 10, 2024 | 10:44 AM

ROSS LAKE, WASHINGTON — Human remains found last year inside a suitcase at Ross Lake in Washington state, accessible through a road south of Hope, are those of a Canadian.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark advised Fraser Valley Today in an email Wednesday morning (Jan. 10) that the victim has been identified and found to be a Canadian. Staff Sgt. Clark is based out of Surrey at E Division headquarters.

“I can confirm that the RCMP has been engaged, as the victim was determined to be a resident of Canada,” Staff Sgt. Clark wrote in an email. “The victim has been identified. The RCMP will continue to work with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to advance the investigation and determine the circumstances that led to the recovery. No further details are available at this time.”

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office was reportedly notified in October 2023 about the discovery of the suitcase containing the remains. Two local residents found the remains while they were fishing at Ross Lake National Recreation Area, according to Bellingham, Washington radio station KGMI. Detectives have reportedly interviewed the two fishermen who located the suitcase. The investigation was first headed up by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office; the remains were handed over to the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office.

As for Silver Skagit Road itself, the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says that construction will continue between the 23-km mark and the 58-km mark in 2024 and 2025; Silver Skagit Road is expected to reopen on April 15, 2024, for public use. Presently, however, Google Maps lists Ross Lake Campground on the Canadian side as being permanently closed.

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