Body recovered after Burnaby man slips beneath West Vancouver lake’s surface

The body of a 29-year-old man from Burnaby has been found after he slipped below the surface of a lake in West Vancouver on Sunday.

Around 6:30 p.m., first responders were called after the man went missing while swimming with his fiancée across Cabin Lake at Cypress Provincial Park.

According to police, he “began to struggle.”

“There were several independent witnesses who saw the young man in distress and observed his companion attempting to assist him,” said Sgt. Chris Bigland. “Unfortunately, he slipped beneath the surface of the water and has not been seen since.”

North Shore Rescue and the West Vancouver Fire Service did an initial search in the water, but it had to be called off due to fading light.

Crews were back at Cabin Lake Monday, working to locate the man and recover his body.

“This is a complex mission given the location of the scene and the equipment required,” Bigland said. “We are asking the public to stay away from the area of Cabin Lake in Cypress Mountain Park.”

Police say the man’s family has been notified of his death. The BC Coroner’s Service has been called in to investigate.

“Yesterday was a beautiful day in the mountains that took a tragic turn for this couple. Our hearts go out to them,” said Suzanne Birch from the West Vancouver Police Department on Monday.

In an update Monday afternoon, Bigland confirmed that “the body of the male missing and presumed drowned [had] been recovered” and police are in the process of transferring the body to the BC Coroner’s Service.

“The West Vancouver Police Department offers our deepest condolences to the family and thanks the members of the public who assisted on scene. Anyone who is struggling with what they witnessed is encouraged to reach out to victim services at 604-925-7468,” the WVPD said.

—With files from Cecilia Hua