Police have confirmed human remains found on a Saanich property are those of missing Victoria father Dana McKellar, bringing a close to one of the most extensive searches in Vancouver Island history.
"It's bittersweet. This is someone's father, someone's son. It's good for the investigaiton to locate him, but it is difficult for his family to have to let go of their hopes that he was still alive," Insp. Keith Lindner said in a statement. "It's a small consolation for us that we are able to help bring him home."
The 51-year-old man was reported missing in September 2014 and police later determined he'd been the victim of an assault the previous July.
Investigators from the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit are still trying to determine how McKellar died, how he ended up at the Goward Road property and ultimately, the person or people responsible.
The confirmation brings a tragic end to an extensive 11-day search that utilized ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic mapping technology and thermal imaging across three hectares of rural land.
Police confirmed they had found human remains at the property on Friday. The BC Coroners Service confirmed them as McKellar's until Monday and police notified family.
None of the businesses operating on the property or its owners are connected to the investigation, police said.
Police say McKellar's family has requested privacy.
