UPDATE: Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m.
As the search continues for a missing man in West Vancouver, some of his clothing has been found near the waterline, police say.
Fukushima “Fuku” Vikilani, 30, was last seen at Imperial Avenue and Marine Drive in West Vancouver on Saturday, Nov. 25, according to the local police department.
Sgt. Mark McLean said ten days after Vikilani went missing, the search is still active. But North Shore Rescue’s efforts have concluded, he said, after an “extensive” land search in the Horseshoe Bay, Whytecliff Park, and Copper Cove areas.
The latest development in the search is the recovery of the clothing Vikilani was believed to have been wearing at the time of his disappearance.
“The clothing was found in a pile close to the shoreline in the area of Bachelor Bay,” McLean said. “[Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue] assisted with an extensive water search, and VPD’s marine unit is still assisting us with searches of the shoreline in that area.”
“We are concerned he may have entered the ocean,” McLean added.
Investigators are in constant contact with the family, he said.
Anyone with information that could aid Vikilani’s search is encouraged to call West Vancouver police at 604-925-7300.
ORIGINAL: Nov. 30, 9:15 a.m.
The West Vancouver Police Department and North Shore Rescue are engaged in a search to find a “high-risk” missing man.
Police are asking the public for help to locate Fukushima “Fuku” Vikilani.
The 30-year-old man was last seen at Imperial Avenue and Marine Drive in West Vancouver on Saturday, Nov. 25, police said.
“Mr. Vikilani suffers from epilepsy and requires daily medication to prevent seizures,” West Vancouver police said in a statement.
Vikilani is five-foot-11, 180 pounds and of Tongan descent, police said.
“The investigation has led investigators to suspect that he may be in the Horseshoe Bay / Whytecliff Park / Copper Cove area of West Vancouver. Residents of this area are urged to check their yards and outbuildings,” police said.
Vikilani’s family is highly concerned about his well-being and whereabouts, said Const. Kevin Goodmurphy. “The biggest piece here is that he requires daily medication that he’s not getting now, and we’re five days into this,” he said, adding that the missing man is not a West Vancouver resident.
Vikilani’s last known whereabouts have led authorities to direct some of their search along the coastline, enlisting assistance from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Goodmurphy said.
“Anyone who has information or may have seen him in that area, we’re asking them to call us,” the officer said. “It may be information that helps us locate him safe and sound – which is what we want.”