News Release

Remains of Missing Sailor Believed Found

CFNIS/SNEFC (Int'l) 2005-01 - October 13, 2005

OTTAWA – Human remains, believed to be that of a Canadian sailor who went missing from HMCS Montreal in February, were recovered in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Poland Tuesday evening.

The remains, including a military uniform, appear to be that of Leading Seaman Robert Leblanc. Identification is tentative at this time and can only be confirmed after further investigation and autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Ontario.

“This matter is a high priority for the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS),” said Col. Donald Dixon, head of the NIS. “The investigation is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been reached.”

Investigators with the NIS will travel to Gdansk, Poland, today to investigate further and return the remains to Canada. The police investigation began Feb. 9, after Leading Seaman Leblanc was discovered missing from HMCS Montreal, which was patrolling in the Baltic Sea.

The NIS is an independent military police unit with the mandate to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to National Defence property, DND employees and CF personnel serving in Canada and around the world.

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Contact:

Capt. Mark Giles
Public Affairs Officer
CF Provost Marshal / NIS
National Defence Headquarters (Ottawa)
(613) 945-0522

Lieut. (N) Marie-Claude Gagné
Public Affairs Officer
Maritime Forces Atlantic
Halifax, N.S.
(902) 427-6688