On Friday night, a hiker called police after discovering human remains in the wooded area between Lakewood Heights and Golden Grove Road. On Sunday, Saint John, River Valley and York Sunbury police ground search and rescue teams expanded the search area and found more human remains, police spokesman Sean Rocca said. Rocca said it was unclear whether the two sets of remains were related, but they were found about 100 meters apart.
Sought Spring 2021
They were also found in the area where police conducted extensive search operations for LeBlanc in March, April and May 2021. The last reliable sighting of LeBlanc was near Lakewood Heights at about 4:20 p.m. on December 30, 2020, Rocca said. His family has led a search effort, including offering a reward for any information leading to his location. Roca said the forensic identification unit was named Friday, and now a forensic dentist is also working to obtain a dental ID. Roca said how long it will take to make an identification “depends on their examination and whether or not [odontologist] is able to make a positive identification.’ If the dentist is unable to identify the remains through dental records, the medical examiner’s unit would have to find another way, which could take more time, he said. Roca also said that once the remains are located, it will be up to the next of kin to decide whether police can share the person’s name. He said it is not yet known if foul play is suspected.
The family is awaiting identification
The remains discovered Friday have not been identified, but were found in the same area where police conducted four search operations for Kyle LeBlanc in 2021. (Saint John Police/Twitter)
LeBlanc was 30 years old when he disappeared.
His stepmother, Erin Adams-LeBlanc, said Monday that investigators have been in contact with the family but have not confirmed that the remains belong to her stepson.
“At the moment we are surrounded by friends and relatives who are waiting for the positive identification of the remains,” he said. “There is no good outcome, regardless of the outcome, and the family is trying to process this moment.”
There has been “an overwhelming heartfelt response” from the community and other families of missing loved ones, she said.
“It’s very emotional and sad as we all wait. It feels like time stands still as we wait to find out.”
He thanked the community, police investigators, media and search and rescue teams for their efforts.
Previous investigations were carried out
Rocca said Saint John police received information that led to multiple searches in the Lakewood Heights area in 2021 related to the search for missing LeBlanc. Rocca said that between March and May 2021, police conducted three search operations north, northeast and northwest of Lakewood Heights in wooded and marshy areas. Search and rescue teams, cadaver dogs and drones were used in these search operations. He said the remains were found northwest of Lakewood Heights on Friday and Sunday.
