Human remains have been discovered in a tragic development in the search for a snorkeler who went missing on New Year’s Day.
Wen “Walter” Ren Gu, aged 32, disappeared at Ledge Point Beach, situated north of Perth in Australia, while engaging in crayfish diving with a group of companions on January 1. The search operation, which involved aerial and marine resources such as helicopters, drones, boats, jet skis, and multiple police divers, did not locate the young man, leading to a reduction in efforts on Friday. However, on Tuesday, Western Australia Police confirmed the discovery of human remains that washed ashore at nearby Fence Reef Beach.
Although formal identification is pending, the remains are presumed to be those of Wen. A police spokesperson mentioned, “Formal identification is yet to be completed but it is believed to be a 32-year-old man who went missing on Thursday. His death is not considered suspicious.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner, as reported by 7News. Ledge Point Beach, known for its white sand and popular for fishing activities, was where Wen and his friends ventured into the water around 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
The police were alerted around 3 p.m. after the man’s friends searched for him on the busy beach. It remains unclear how long Wen was missing before authorities were notified, as per The West Australian.
Wen, who was temporarily residing in Western Australia while in the process of applying for a study visa, was described as a jovial and sociable individual.
Following Wen’s disappearance, local resident Jay Barrett highlighted the community’s involvement in the search effort, emphasizing the need for caution in the area’s diving spots to avoid accidents.
In a post on a Ledge Point community group, a friend of Wen expressed the desire to continue the search and called for any information or assistance from those present at the beach on that day. The post stated that despite the conclusion of the official search and rescue operations by the Australian police after 24 hours, they remained determined to continue the search with the help of everyone’s support.