UPDATE:
The body of a man who was 29 years old when he went missing has been found nearly three years after he got on a transit bus in New Westminster, B.C., and disappeared.
The Surrey RCMP confirmed Thursday that the remains of Bernard Grempel have been located.
His death does not appear to have been suspicious, however the B.C. Coroners Service is still investigating the circumstances, the Mounties said in a news release.
Grempel was last seen alive on May 14, 2021, when he entered the Surrey Central SkyTrain station at around 10:30 p.m.
At the time of his disappearance, police said Grempel took the train to the 22nd Street station in New Westminster, where he got off at 10:53 p.m.
It is believed Grempel then got on a route 340 bus at 10:59 p.m. but where he got off remains a mystery.
Grempel’s family previously told CTV News that the transit route is one he normally took to visit his parents.
The family initially offered $10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts, later increasing the reward to $20,000 and eventually $30,000.
Grempel’s family had expressed frustration with a perceived lack of urgency among the Surrey RCMP investigating his disappearance, an allegation the authorities denied, saying they had followed every available lead and checked homeless shelters for possible sightings.
On Thursday, the Surrey RCMP offered their condolences to the man’s family and friends, and thanked the media and the public for their assistance in the case.
Police did not say where the man’s remains were found. “Out of respect for the family, we will not be able to provide more details,” said Surrey RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/body-of-missing-surrey-man-found-nearly-3-years-after-he-disappeared-1.6789850
It’s been nearly a year since Bernard Grempel went missing and Surrey Mounties are hoping the public will help provide new information that can further their investigation.
Grempel, who was 28 when he was last seen, is confirmed to have entered the Surrey Central SkyTrain station at about 10:30 p.m. on May 14, 2021. Investigators say he took the train and arrived at the 22nd Street station in New Westminster at 10:53 p.m.
It’s believed Grempel then took the 340 bus at 10:59 p.m., but police haven’t been able to confirm where he got off. Family previously told CTV News Vancouver that’s the route he normally takes to visit his parents, but nobody has seen him since that day.
“Thank you to the public for all the tips that we have received over the past year and continue to receive,” said Cpl. Vanessa Munn in a news release.
“Our investigators have followed up on all tips and will continue to do so until Bernard is found. As our investigation continues, we are encouraging anyone with any information who has not yet spoken with investigators to contact Surrey RCMP.”
Grempel, who also goes by “Bernie,” was last seen on video wearing red sweatpants, a white hoodie, a blue medical mask, and black and white Nike runners. He’s now 29 years old and has a slim build, curly brown hair and brown eyes. He’s 6′ tall.
Grempel’s family initially offered $10,000 to find him, then upped the reward to $20,000. In March, they increased it again to $30,000.
“If the reward is what will bring someone to bring information forward, we feel that it’s our responsibility to do that,” Grempel’s sister, Ettie Shurack, said earlier this spring.
Shurack said there have been more than 100 reported sightings of her brother so far, though none have led to his whereabouts.
“On one hand, it’s really discouraging,” she said. “How could so many sightings – over a hundred – how could none of them pan out? But on the other hand, it’s encouraging that my brother is still on people’s minds and people are searching and hopeful.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502. Tips can also be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers.
