Two men’s deaths treated as homicides
RCMP confirm the remains of two found near Ucluelet are those of missing men
The RCMP has confirmed that the remains of two people found near Ucluelet this month are those of missing men Dan Archbald and Ryan Daley.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is treating their deaths as a homicide.
“Identifying Mr. Daley and Mr. Archbald is a significant step in this investigation,” Insp. Dave Hall said.
“We can now focus our attention on answering the who, what, when, where and why, in an effort to determine who is responsible for their deaths.”
In a statement posted on the Go Fund Me page dedicated to finding Daley, his sister, Lauren Glynn, wrote: “It is with an absolutely broken heart that I’m updating to tell you that the remains that were found have been identified as our love, Ryan, and Dan. We don’t know anything more as this now rests with the police as a crime investigation.”
Police say there is no evidence of a link between the deaths of Archbald and Daley and the disappearance of Ben Kilmer, who went missing on May 16. Kilmer’s disappearance has not been deemed suspicious.
Hall cautioned that “the widespread use of social media and the internet as sources of information risks drawing linkages that do not exist, or spreading false information that becomes increasingly difficult for police to untangle in their investigation.”
He said the police investigations into Daley and Archbald’s deaths and Kilmer’s disappearance remain active and ongoing.
“Investigators are in contact with the families of all three men and working to determine what has happened to them,” said a statement from the major crime unit.
“In order to be successful, the police rely on the co-operation of family, friends and associates who may have information about the circumstances leading to the disappearances.”
The remains of Archbald and Daley were found the week of June 10 by a woman walking her dog in an area near Ucluelet.
Archbald, 37, of Squamish and Daley, 43, of Jordan River, were last seen at the Ucluelet Small Craft Harbour on May 16 after returning from an eight-week sailing trip from Panama.
They had docked on May 13 and were seen on surveillance camera leaving the harbour on foot three days later, possibly planning to hitch a ride to Daley’s property in Jordan River.
Aerial and ground searches failed to locate the men. The case was deemed suspicious and turned over to the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.
Archbald was a husband and father of two young girls, Josie and Olive.
Daley was adventurous and loved high-adrenaline sports such as surfing and mountain biking. He made headlines in 2011 when he put his Squamish home — and his life — up for sale for $1 million.
Daley said at the time the $1 million would buy his home, his 1990 Porsche and all the tools needed to take over his profession as a cabinet maker.
Police ask anyone with information on the deaths of Daley and Archbald to call them at 250-380-6211.