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Gorge Park temporarily closed as body removed from woods

The body of an unidentified male was found in a heavily wooded area of Gorge Park Wednesday morning
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A wooded area of Gorge Park near Tillicum Road.

A pedestrian spotted the body of an unidentified male in a heavily wooded area of Gorge Park at 9:17 a.m. Wednesday.

The citizen called 911 and was directed to Saanich dispatch, said Saanich Police Sgt. John Price.

Police closed the park for two hours. Foul play was ruled out at the scene. 

“Front line Saanich police officers attended and confirmed the unresponsive male was deceased,” Price said. “The B.C. Coroners Service and Saanich Police forensics and detectives attended the site and are working to determine the cause of death and the male’s identify.”

The male is caucasian, between the ages of 60 to 70. He was found in a wooded area not far from the intersection of Gorge and Tillicum roads. Scattered near the body was discarded clothing and human feces.

“The wooded area of the park is known as a place people go to consume alcohol and drugs, though we don’t have any reason to suspect that is the cause of death at this time,” Price said.

There is also no evidence whether the male was camping at the park, or just visiting. The extreme weather protocol was last in place on Dec. 26 and not in effect at the time the body was discovered.

Camping has been reduced at the park with pruning and an increase in regular patrols by the Saanich Police bike officers.