Human remains were 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 while diving for crayfish with friends at Ledge Point Beach, located north of Perth, Australia. Despite extensive search efforts involving aerial and marine resources such as helicopters, drones, boats, jet skis, and police divers, the man remained unlocated, leading to the operation being downscaled on Friday.
On Tuesday, Western Australia Police announced the finding of human remains washed ashore at Fence Reef Beach nearby. Although formal identification is pending, authorities believe the remains belong to Wen. A police spokesperson mentioned that while formal identification is ongoing, the deceased is presumed to be the 32-year-old who went missing on January 1, with no suspicion of foul play in his death.
A report is set to be prepared for the coroner, as detailed by 7News. Ledge Point Beach, known for its white sand and popular fishing activities, was the location where Wen and his friends ventured into the water around 10 am on New Year’s Day. His friends alerted the police around 3 pm after searching for him on the crowded beach, with uncertainty surrounding the duration of Wen’s absence before the authorities were notified, as indicated by The West Australian.
Wen, who was temporarily residing in Western Australia and in the process of applying for a study visa, was described as a cheerful and outgoing individual. Local resident Jay Barrett highlighted the community’s assistance in the search, emphasizing the tragic nature of the incident and the need for caution in the area’s diving spots.
Following Wen’s disappearance, a plea for continued assistance in the search was made by a friend on a Ledge Point community group, expressing the desire to persist despite the conclusion of official search operations. The message appealed for any information or sightings related to the incident, emphasizing the importance of collaborative support in the ongoing search efforts.