Skip to content

UPDATED: RCMP locate Yellowknife man missing on the land

RCMP located 31-year-old Donovan Boucher at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 after a search with Behchoko RCMP, Behchoko Ground Search and Rescue, family members and community volunteers from the Behchoko Fire Department.

They set out at first light on Friday morning to locate Boucher, who did not return as expected after scouting an area near kilometre 292 on Hwy. 3.

Behchoko RCMP arranged Great Slave Helicopter to search the area with Cpl. James McEachren and Behchoko RCMP detachment commander.

Following a trail of footsteps through heavily wooded areas, they found Boucher walking across a lake, several kilometers from his parked vehicle.

Both Boucher and his dog were transported by helicopter to the Behchoko Medical Center, where he was given medical attention due to time spent in cold temperatures. Both Boucher and his dog were released in "fair condition," according to an RCMP news release.

"This is the best result we could have hoped for," said McEachren in a news release. "The selfless manner in which the volunteers, community and supporting partners came together provided a thorough and well organized search for the man. Thank you to everyone who assisted."

RCMP patrolled the area the night Boucher was reported missing, locating his vehicle at kilometre 292. RCMP completed a search in the immediate area with no success.

Donovan is experienced on the land and was reportedly wearing proper winter clothing. He was travelling with a seven-month-old yellow Labrador retriever named Timber.

"Anytime someone is out on the land and is late in returning in these temperatures, it can cause concern," wrote RCMP spokesperson Marie York-Condon in a Dec. 14 news release.