(UPDATE: June 29 @ 2:45 pm) - The search for an inmate who escaped from a Vancouver Island prison has come to an end.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) says Ernest Jensen's body was found in the ocean near the minimum-security William Head Institution on Monday afternoon.
A search for the 69-year-old inmate, who had been serving a life sentence since 1991 for second-degree murder, was initiated after he was unaccounted for during the facility's midday count Sunday.
The West Shore RCMP's Serious Crimes Unit continues to liaise with CSC and the BC Coroners Service to investigate the circumstances around Jensen's death.
"We would like to thank the public and the media for their patience as officers and CSC staff worked diligently through the search for Mr. Jensen," noted an RCMP statement.
"We recognize that incidents like this are concerning, particularly for those who live in the surrounding area. We want to reassure the public that officers mobilized quickly, deploying significant resources immediately after the report from William Head Institution was received."
The statement added: "Our priority has been and remains the safety of the public. We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation while this investigation is ongoing. No further details will be released at this time."
(Original story: June 29 @ 9:30 am) - An extensive search is ongoing for an inmate who escaped from a Vancouver Island prison over the weekend.
Police were notified in the early afternoon Sunday that 69-year-old Ernest Jensen was unaccounted for during the midday count at William Head Institution.
The RCMP describes Jensen as “dangerous.” He’s been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder since 1991.
The public in the Greater Victoria area is advised that there will be a heavy police presence in the area near the prison as police search for Jensen.
West Shore RCMP Police Dog Services and RCMP Air Services are both part of the “extensive patrols” that are ongoing on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
Jensen is now wanted for being unlawfully at large and the RCMP provided the following description of the escaped inmate:
Members of the public are urged not to approach Jensen and to call 911 immediately if they see him.
Anyone with information that does not require an emergency response is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
