A convicted murderer who escaped from a minimum-security prison on Vancouver Island over the weekend has been found dead. Correctional Service Canada confirmed the body of 69-year-old Ernest Jensen was located in the waters off Metchosin, a community in Greater Victoria. He was not far from William Head Institution, where he had been serving a life sentence before staff noticed him missing on Sunday, prompting a public warning. Jensen’s body was recovered by members of the RCMP’s West Coast Marine Services and the Metchosin Fire Department on Monday afternoon. Few other details—including how Jensen escaped, or what happened to him afterward—have been released. In a statement, West Shore RCMP thanked the public for their “understanding and co-operation” while officers continue to investigate the incident. “We recognize that incidents like this are concerning, particularly for those who live in the surrounding area,” the detachment said. “We want to reassure the public that officers mobilized quickly, deploying significant resources immediately after the report from William Head Institution was received. Our priority has been and remains the safety of the public.” Jensen was convicted of second-degree murder, and had been serving his sentence since March 20, 1991, according to federal officials. His criminal record also included convictions for break-and-enter and trespassing. His next of kin and “any registered victims” have been notified of his death, Correctional Service Canada said in a statement Monday. “As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, we will review the circumstances of the events of the past two days,” the statement added. The B.C. Coroners Service will be responsible for determining Jensen’s cause of death, officials said.
