Remains found in Mille Îles River belong to man missing since 1988

A decades-long investigation into the disappearance of a Laval, Que., resident is now over.

Laval police announced that the human remains found earlier this month belong to Robert Saint-Louis — a man who has been missing since 1988. 

Laval police made the announcement on Facebook Monday afternoon, saying the confirmation came after tests by the Quebec coroner's office.

Divers find cache of cars in Montreal-area river — and may have solved 1980s cold case

14 days ago

Duration 2:09

Police in Deux-Montagnes, Que., say one of the vehicles found in the Mille-Îles River by the group Exploring with a Mission belongs to Robert Saint-Louis, a Laval resident who has been missing since 1988.

"The Service de police de Laval offers its most sincere sympathies to Mr. Saint-Louis' loved ones. His family tirelessly pursued efforts over the years, displaying great resilience and a profound attachment," reads the statement which also mentions how Saint-Louis' family stayed in touch with investigators over the years.

About ten days ago, Exploring with a Mission —  a non-profit group that specializes in missing persons cases and detecting vehicles underwater — discovered a beige 1980 Jeep Cherokee Chief off the shores of the city of Deux-Montagnes.

Shortly after, police confirmed that the Jeep belonged to Saint-Louis.

In total, seven vehicles were removed from that river this month.

The investigation was a collaboration that also included the Sûreté du Québec as well as police in Laval and Deux-Montagnes.

The seven vehicles were found in an area of the river that is estimated to be about 18 metres deep.

WATCH | Divers find missing man's car and 8 others underwater:  

Daybreak Montreal10:57Meet the diver who found the vehicle of a man who has been missing since 1988

The family of a Laval man - missing for nearly 40 years - believe they have finally found their loved one. In 1988, Robert Saint-Louis left home - and never returned. No one has heard from him since. But his vehicle has just been found at the bottom of the Mille-Îles River - not far from his family home. Deux-Montagnes police say they believe bones in the car could belong to Saint-Louis. William McIntosh is one of the volunteer divers who located the missing Jeep Cherokee. The American is the team lead of a non-profit called Exploring with a Mission. They travel around the world to find missing people.