A sad end to the search for a missing Indigenous man, Richard Jules, who had been missing since the end of November.

Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says a resident found human remains last Saturday on Salish Road on Kamloops First Nations land.

“Since then, working with the BC Coroners Service’s special investigation unit, the remains have been positively identified as Richard Jules,” said Shelkie. “Richard’s next of kin have been notified.”

The discovery comes after months of extensive searches in numerous locations, according to police, with no success.

“There is no evidence of criminality being involved in Richard’s death at this time,” added Shelkie. “The BC Coroners Service is also investigating to determine how, where, when and by what means he came to his death.”

In a statement,  Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc (TteS) Chief Roseanne Casimir says Jules was a member of the Band, who also worked at TteS for several years.

“On behalf of the entire community of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc, we are very saddened that the remains found were confirmed to be our Band member, Richard Jules Jr.,” she said.

Jules, known as Lil Rick, started working for the Band back in 1996 as a member of seasonal landscaping crew. He also worked as security and in general building maintenance.

He completed his building maintenance worker certification in 2003, and helped with different building maintenance projects over the years.

“He was a funny, kind and valuable member of our work teams, and our community,” added Casimir. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family at this difficult time.”

She says the family is asking for privacy at this time.