The Salish Sea Killer

Serial Killer

The Salish Sea Severed Feet Mystery

Overview

Between 2007 and 2023, a series of disarticulated human feet, typically encased in sneakers or boots, washed ashore along the Salish Sea—a network of coastal waterways spanning British Columbia, Canada, and Washington State, USA. These discoveries have sparked public intrigue and speculation about potential foul play, including theories of a serial killer dubbed "The Salish Sea Killer." However, investigations have largely attributed these incidents to natural processes, ruling out criminal involvement.

Discovery Timeline

Below is a chronological list of the discovered feet, detailing dates, locations, and available identification information:

• August 20, 2007: Jedediah Island, B.C. – A man's right foot in a size 12 Adidas shoe. Identified as a missing man suffering from depression.
• August 26, 2007: Gabriola Island, B.C. – A man's right foot in a size 12 Reebok shoe. Remains unidentified.
• February 8, 2008: Valdes Island, B.C. – A right foot in a size 11 Nike shoe. Identified as a 21-year-old Surrey man reported missing four years prior.
• May 22, 2008: Kirkland Island, B.C. – A woman's right foot in a blue and white New Balance sneaker. Identified as a woman who jumped from the Pattullo Bridge in 2004.
• June 19, 2008: Westham Island, B.C. – A man's left foot found floating in water. Matched to the right foot found on February 8, 2008.
• August 1, 2008: Near Pysht, Washington – A right foot inside a man's black size 11 shoe. Remains unidentified.
• November 11, 2008: Richmond, B.C. – A woman's left foot in a small New Balance running shoe. Matched to the foot discovered on May 22, 2008.
• October 27, 2009: Richmond, B.C. – A right foot in a white size 8½ Nike running shoe. Identified as a Vancouver-area man reported missing in January 2008.
• August 27, 2010: Whidbey Island, Washington – A woman's or child's right foot, without a shoe or sock. Remains unidentified.
• December 5, 2010: Tacoma, Washington – A right foot inside a boy's size 6 'Ozark Trail' hiking boot. Remains unidentified.
• August 30, 2011: False Creek, B.C. – A foot found in a men's white and blue size 9 runner. Remains unidentified.
• November 4, 2011: Sasamat Lake, B.C. – A man's right foot inside a size 12 hiking boot. Identified as Stefan Zahorujko, a local fisherman missing since 1987.
• December 10, 2011: Lake Union, Seattle, Washington – Human leg bone and foot in a black plastic bag. Remains unidentified.
• January 26, 2012: Vancouver, B.C. – Bones inside a boot found along the waterline. Remains unidentified.
• May 6, 2014: Seattle, Washington – Human foot in white New Balance shoe found along the shoreline. Remains unidentified.
• February 7, 2016: Vancouver Island, B.C. – Foot in a sock and running shoe found by hikers. Remains unidentified.
• February 12, 2016: Vancouver Island, B.C. – Another foot washed up near Port Renfrew. Matched to the foot found on February 7, 2016.
• December 8, 2017: Vancouver Island, B.C. – Remains of a leg with a shoe attached washed up near Jordan River. Identified as 79-year-old Stanley K. Okumoto of Silverdale, Washington.
• May 6, 2018: Gabriola Island, B.C. – A hiking boot with a human foot inside found wedged in a logjam. Remains unidentified.
• September 2018: West Vancouver, B.C. – Foot within a light grey Nike Free RN shoe found near the 30th Street beach access point. Believed to have been worn by a male under the age of 50.
• January 1, 2019: Jetty Island, Everett, Washington – Foot found in a boot, later identified via DNA as Antonio Neill, missing since December 12, 2016.
• November 21, 2021: Locust Beach, Bellingham, Washington – A size 7 Brahma work boot containing the bones of a right foot. Determined to belong to a male.
• December 2021: Port Angeles, Washington – A size 8 New Balance shoe washed up on the mouth of the Elwha River. Identified as Jerilyn L. Smith, missing from Sequim, Washington, since January 2018.
• July 23, 2023: Gonzales Beach, Victoria, B.C. – No details available publicly at this time. Sex unknown. The BC Coroners Service is investigating.

Investigative Findings

Extensive investigations into these incidents have concluded that the separation of feet from bodies is due to natural decomposition processes in marine environments. Factors contributing to these occurrences include:

• Buoyant Footwear: Modern sneakers are designed with lightweight, buoyant materials, causing detached feet encased in such footwear to float and eventually wash ashore.
• Marine Scavenging: Aquatic scavengers expedite the decomposition process, leading to the natural disarticulation of feet from the rest of the body.
• Ocean Currents: The Salish Sea's unique currents and geography facilitate the transportation of floating objects, including detached feet, to shorelines.

Authorities have found no evidence of foul play in these cases, and the phenomenon is not considered the result of a serial killer. Instead, the detached feet are believed to be from individuals who either died accidentally or by suicide in the waters of the Salish Sea. Many of the feet have been successfully identified through DNA testing and linked to missing persons reports. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (0)

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