Plans being finalized for ‘exhaustive search’ in Marshal Iwaasa disappearance

“Family were notified of the discovery of the vehicle and subsequently reported Iwaasa missing,” read a release from the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS), who have since taken the lead on the investigation.

LPS Sgt. Saska Vanhala says the initial search was made more difficult due to the intense terrain and poor weather such as heavy snow.

Now, LPS says they, along with B.C. RCMP, are planning an “exhaustive search” of the remote and mountainous area where Iwaasa’s vehicle was found, approximately 50 km north of Pemberton.

The search was suspended over the winter months but LPS said as a result of the ongoing snow melt, a preliminary search by Pemberton RCMP was conducted last month.

That yielded no results and a new search is set to be scheduled as soon as possible.

“To date, an extensive and comprehensive investigation to locate Iwaasa and determine the circumstances of his disappearance has been undertaken and continues,” read the release.

“The case has garnered significant attention on social media, which has resulted in a number of assumptions and speculation.”

LPS stated that from the start of the investigation, Iwaasa’s disappearance has been considered ‘suspicious’.

“However, there is no credible, corroborated or compelling information to suggest foul play or that the occurrence is criminal in nature,” said Lethbridge Police.

The search will likely commence before the end of June. Vanhala says members of LPS and Pemberton RCMP will take part, but they are still working out some of the fine details.

STOPPED GOING TO CLASS

Police revealed that prior to going missing, Iwaasa had stopped attending post-secondary classes.

“In examining Iwaasa’s personal affairs in the months leading up to his disappearance – including interviews with close friends as well as his financial, medical and social media activity – there is evidence to suggest he was experiencing stress in his life and had become withdrawn.”

Police noted that when Iwaasa was last seen in Lethbridge on November 17, he said he was leaving to go to his storage locker.

“The storage locker key and out logs corroborate his code was used to enter the facility and then approximately two hours later leave the compound,” LPS said.

Lethbridge Police said by the time they took over the investigation, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the storage locker area was no longer available.

When Iwaasa’s vehicle was located and the scene was examined, LPS explained that there was no evidence to suggest that a criminal offence had been committed. There was also no evidence to suggest anyone other than Iwaasa was present when the vehicle was burned.

“It has not been conclusively determined if the vehicle was burned intentionally or as a result of an accident,” police stated, adding that some of Iwaasa’s clothing was discovered in a trail leading away from the vehicle into the surrounding forest.

“Investigators are aware there is discrepancy between photos taken by the original hikers who located the scene and called police and RCMP photos taken when officers arrived some time later. It is possible other backcountry users encountered the items prior to RCMP arrival, and police are asking anyone who may have happened across the scene and inadvertently disturbed the items, to come forward.”

EVIDENCE

LPS explained that all evidence seized, including electronics, has been forensically processed where possible. Police say electronics seized contained information linking them to Iwaasa.

“Several devices were old and did not contain current or recent data. In addition, fingerprinting has been conducted with no usable prints developed from the processed evidence.”

All evidence seized is being retained for potential DNA testing.

LPS said that evidence cannot be DNA tested by the RCMP crime lab unless officers have reasonable grounds to believe a DNA-designated criminal offence has been committed.

“At this time no such evidence or grounds exist. If a private lab were to conduct DNA testing immediately, the items may not be accepted by the RCMP lab for processing in future and any evidence recovered may not be admissible in court.”

IWAASA’S VEHICLE

Iwaasa’s burned out vehicle remains on-site where it was found, due to the extreme remote terrain of the area where it was discovered.

LPS noted that because of the winter conditions when the vehicle was first found, and a rockslide blocking the access road, it is “physically impossible” to have a tow truck access the site for removal.

Police added that the truck was examined after being discovered.

SHARING INFORMATION & FOLLOWING TIPS

Officials explained that much of the information learned during the investigation thus far has been shared with Iwaasa’s family. However, not all ‘relevant and pertinent’ information has been shared with the public or on social media forums.

“The investigator’s report contains additional details and insights into the circumstances, scene and evidence which has not and will not be shared in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation,” said the LPS.

Police stated that to date, every tip and piece of information received has been investigated.

“There have been numerous reported sightings of Iwaasa in many jurisdictions throughout Canada – often at the same time,” LPS said.

“Every tip has been followed up and every tip with enough information that could be corroborated has proven not to be Iwaasa.”

During the investigation, officers have continued to track Iwaasa’s personal affairs, including potential personal contacts, social media, phone, medical and financial activity.

“Since Iwaasa’s disappearance, there have been no footprints of life,” read the release.

Lethbridge Police noted that as the case continues and plans for a more thorough search of the mountain terrain are finalized, any additional information about Iwaasa’s disappearance that comes to light will be investigated.

Anyone with any further details is asked to contact police.

by Justin Goulet

Plans being finalized for ‘exhaustive search’ in Marshal Iwaasa disappearance

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