Still Unidentified – Homeless Alberta man discovered dead on the shores of Lake Huron

Jeff Klassen SooToday / Wallis Snowdon · CBC News 

Police hope to determine the true identity of an Alberta man whose body was found washed up on a beach in southern Ontario.

The man had been walking to Ontario under the assumed name of Mitchell Nelson, but his true identity remains unclear. 

The Huron County crime unit of the Ontario Provincial Police says the man’s body was discovered October 15, 2016 on the shores of Lake Huron, north of Port Albert.

Investigators say the same man was interviewed by the SooToday newspaper after he was spotted on Sept. 15, 2016 pushing a bicycle with a 15-foot canoe hitched to back, along a highway near Espanola, in northern Ontario.

In an interview, the man told the newspaper he had walked there from Edmonton. He said he was 57 years old and homeless by choice, but had spent the last eight years making a living across Alberta.

With the economic downturn making jobs harder to find, he told the reporter he was moving back East and planned to journey across Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to southeastern Ontario.

Police are trying to confirm the man’s name, and are seeking assistance from the public in identifying him.

“It’s unfortunate we have to notify the next-of-kin in this manner but we have no other option than to seek help from the public in this instance,” Jason Younan, detachment commander for the Huron County OPP, said in a statement.

Police say the man was a white male, with an average to medium build with balding grey hair, a wispy moustache, and was between 30 and 60 years old when he died.

He was found wearing a blue “Fluid” life-jacket with a black fleece jacket, black wind pants and black Nike running shoes.

Police have also released photographs supplied by the SooToday newspaper in an attempt to garner more tips from the public.

Police investigators need to confirm the victims’ name and are seeking help from the public in identifying the proper name of the victim.  Police would like to speak with anyone who can identify the male party depicted in the attached photos.

The victim is described as:
 White, male
Average to medium build
Balding with grey hair
Thin moustache.
Approximately 30-60 years old

Clothing:
Blue “Fluid” life jacket
Black fleece type pullover/jacket
Black wind pants with letter “PEP” on a shield
White and black Nike running shoes

Anyone with information can contact the Huron County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their local police agency immediately. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. 

The investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.  

“It is unfortunate we have to notify the next-of-kin in this manner, but we have no other option other than to seek help from the public in this instance.” – Detachment Commander Inspector Younan.

Sources:
SooToday
London Free Press

NOTES: While this is information is from old articles, this man is still unidentified. If you know who he is, please let the authorities know.