Body found near Hay River is ‘likely’ to be David Park

RCMP say a body discovered in the South Slave on Sunday is believed to be that of resident David Park, who disappeared three weeks ago.

Park, a 34-year-old of Korean descent, has been the subject of an extensive missing persons investigation since his absence was reported to police on April 4.

On Monday, RCMP confirmed a local resident had discovered a body in the snow.

“During the afternoon of Sunday, April 22, a local Hay River resident observed an unusual formation in the snow and discovered a deceased male,” read a statement issued on Monday afternoon.

“Hay River RCMP attended the scene by snow machine. Working closely with NWT Coroner Service, RCMP recovered the deceased.

“It is believed that the deceased male is 34 year-old Junghwan (David) Park, who was reported missing on April 4, 2018 by his co-workers.”

The Rooster convenience store in Hay River, where Park worked, posted a Facebook update in which its staff suggested Park had been found in the vicinity of the community of Enterprise.

“Families and friends in Hay River. We heard from RCMP last night that our friend David was found in [the] Enterprise area,” read the message.

“We are sad to share the news that he couldn’t come home alive. RCMP will investigate further [the] reason for death.”

In recent days, the operation to find Park had extended to Alberta communities as police followed leads suggesting he may have travelled south.

No cause of death has been identified; a post-mortem autopsy has been ordered and RCMP are working with the Korean consulate.