Missing N.L. trucker's body found inside vehicle
OPP not talking after remains discovered when trailer returned
The story of the search for missing long-haul trucker Brian Lush came to its tragic end Monday after the 51-year-old's remains were located.
But the next chapter of this tale is still unfolding after he was found inside his tractor-trailer by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after the vehicle was driven back to Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Human remains were found by the RCMP inside a tractor-trailer unit that had been driven from Ontario to Port aux Basques, N.L.,” read an RCMP statement shared with media.
“The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged. The investigation is continuing with initial evidence to support foul play is not suspected.”
The discovery was first reported by CBC News in Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday. The Ontario Provincial Police said it was now conducting a review of the process involved in the search for Lush and details would be shared to his family. CBC reported the OPP refused to answer questions about whether police thoroughly searched the truck and trailer before sending it back to its owner — Downhome Movers Ltd., a furniture moving company — and, if so, how investigators could have missed finding Lush inside it. On Wednesday, OPP did not respond to questions sent by Postmedia. While the family has not responded to requests for comment from Postmedia, the CBC News article was widely shared on social media, including by family members who added comments.
“(Twelve) days of f---ing hoping, we were there — we didn't have time to search the trailer and the OPP said they were the best. The best didn't do their f---ing job. We wish this nightmare didn't lead to this. You were so loved, Brian,” read a post from Lush's daughter-in-law, Karlie Anne.
Lush's daughter, Chloe White, also shared the story in a social-media post, saying “ridiculous.”
Lush was first reported missing on April 24, one day after his family last heard from him.
He was on his way back home to Newfoundland and Labrador, and his truck was located at a Petropass station near Highway 401 and Summerstown Road, east of Cornwall.
Lush had left his personal belongings in the vehicle and was last seen in surveillance video from the station.
Some people took to social media to criticize policing efforts throughout the search for Lush, mistakenly accusing Cornwall Police Service of handling the investigation. While CPS was asked to assist later in the OPP'S investigation, “the Cornwall Police Service canvassed hotels and motels within the City of Cornwall to assist,” CPS communications co-ordinator Rodney Wilson said.