Body found on North Shore mountains
Body located in same area where Liang Jin, Tom Billings were believed to have gone for hikes
Vancouver Police say a body was found Tuesday in the Hanes Valley area, a difficult hiking route on the North Shore Mountains.
This is the same area in which search and rescue efforts have been held for two hikers — Tom Billings and Liang Jin — who went missing separately over the last two years.
Police have not confirmed the identity nor any details of the body found yet.
"We are not providing any additional information until the identity of the body is confirmed and the next of kin have all been notified," said Const. Brian Montague in an email.
Missing hiker Liang Jin
A police search of Jin's computer and Internet search history found he'd been researching hiking locations in the North Shore mountains.
Jin is an avid hiker and familiar with the North Shore trails. But the Hanes Valley route is difficult during good weather, and was treacherous at the time he went missing. The search for Jin was called off a number of times because of avalanche concerns.
While police believe Jin may have taken public transit from downtown Vancouver, they have not actually confirmed he went to the North Shore.
Missing British tourist Tom Billings
Billings was last seen in November 2013 hiking the Hanes Valley Trail. He was a serious hiker and avid traveller.
The British tourist wasn't reported missing until seven to 10 days later, when he failed to complete travel plans on his eight-week tour of North America.