Tim PETRUK
Black Press
The family of a Kamloops man whose body was found earlier this month at the mouth of Kamloops Lake is still waiting for answers.
William Loewen, who was known by loved ones as Bill, disappeared in the early-morning hours of Aug. 30. His vehicle was apparently abandoned on the Overlanders Bridge.
The 68-year-old’s body was discovered by a kayaker on Sept. 3.
Dave Loewen, a city councillor in Abbotsford and Bill’s brother, said the family is waiting for more information from authorities.
“The police said it’s undetermined,” he said.
“I can understand that. They don’t know.”
Loewen said his family has been told by the coroners service suicide had been “ruled out,” but they still don’t know what happened.
The family has apparently also been told that Bill had four cracked ribs and there’s no indication he drowned.
The coroners service would only tell Black Press the investigation was ongoing.
Bill, a retired Canada Safeway manager, worked early-morning shifts at The Home Depot. He was driving to work when he disappeared.
Loewen said his brother’s Jeep was facing the wrong way on the Overlanders Bridge.
“I’m thinking he saw something,” he said.
“Why else would he drive over to the other side? That was the fatal mistake.”
Loewen said he cannot imagine his brother taking his own life.
“Bill was the centre of his family,” he said. “He was a selfless guy, hard-working.”
Loewen plans to visit Kamloops later this month, hopefully to speak with police about what might have happened to his brother.
“My wife and I will probably come up, just to give a little closure,” he said.
