A man whose body was found on a Lake Huron beach north of Goderich nearly two weeks ago, may have been traveling to London.
In their search to identify the man, Huron OPP say they located a freelance journalist who captured photos of the victim near Espanola last month.
The man, who is homeless, told Northern Ontario publication SooToday.com that his name was Mitchell Nelson and he was from London. He was spotted walking along a highway with a bicycle and homemade trailer, hauling a 15ft green canoe.
Nelson went on to say he was traveling from Edmonton, Alberta to London to see family and friends. Most of his trek to that point had been on foot but he planned to pull his canoe to the eastern side of Manitoulin Island and canoe across Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.
On October 15, a man's body washed ashore at Port Albert. Police have been trying to identify him ever since. They now believe the body is that of the man who called himself Mitchell Nelson. However, police think that was an assumed name and want to speak with anyone who can confirm the man's identity.
“It is unfortunate we have to notify the next-of-kin in this manner, but we have no other option other than to seek help from the public in this instance," says OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Jason Younan.
Police describe the man as white, approximately 30-60-years-old, with an average to medium build, balding with grey hair and a thin moustache. He was wearing a blue "Fluid" life jacket, black fleece jacket, black wind pants with the letters "PEP" on the shield, and white and black Nike running shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Huron County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 .
