Footloose

VANCOUVER -- Yet another human foot has washed ashore in British Columbia waters - the fifth such gruesome find in the past year.

Delta police said yesterday a couple out for a morning walk found a left foot partly submerged in the water on Westham Island in Ladner, south of Vancouver.

"[They] observed a shoe floating in the water, thought it suspicious and called police, and we've determined it to be human remains," said Constable Sharlene Brooks of the Delta Police Department.

Constable Brooks said the foot was in a shoe, but that police will not be releasing details of the type of footwear at this time.

Asked about the other cases, Constable Brooks said, "As far as confirming a link, we're not there. It is very speculative."

The most recent similar discovery was on May 22. A right foot still clothed in a sock and running shoe washed ashore on Kirkland Island in the Fraser River. It was found by a man walking his dog.

The other feet - all of which were also in sneakers - were found in the Gulf Islands between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

There has been no evidence that the feet were purposely severed, leading to speculation that the feet broke off human remains that were in the water for a long time.

Delta police are looking for answers. Investigators with the force's criminal investigation section are working with the B.C. Coroners Service and other police agencies to establish the identity of the foot and to see whether it is linked to the other cases.

"We're treating this as a criminal investigation," said Constable Brooks.

She said the police will not release further information until forensic work is completed.

By Ian Bailey
The Globe and Mail