RCMP believe a body pulled from the South Saskatchewan River is that of a 17-year-old swimmer who disappeared five days ago.
“We believe it is the 17-year-old youth that we’ve been looking for,” Saskatoon RCMP Commander Greg Abbott said Friday. “The family has been advised and we are doing an external autopsy to make that confirmation as well.”
Searchers recovered the body from the water Friday morning about a kilometre and a half from the Fred Heal Canoe Launch, where the teen disappeared while swimming Sunday evening. The body’s identity has yet to be confirmed, but Abbott said investigators believe the body is that of Justin Warwaruk.
Warwaruk recently graduated from high school in Outlook. Teams, including numerous volunteers and emergency workers, spent several days searching via aircraft, watercraft and on the ground for the teen.
Friday’s finding is a relief for the family, Abbott said.
“This is of course a tragic and extremely difficult time for the family, but it also helps to bring some closure for them after this week-long search,” Abbott said.
The Fred Heal Canoe Launch is located about 12 kilometres south of Saskatoon.
