Search for Okanagan senior missing for nearly 4 months will resume on the water

| March 27, 2024 in Missing

Local Community Advertising

It’s approaching four months since Robert Lee Baines went missing in Coldstream.

On Thursday, the search will resume for the 83-year-old with Alzheimer’s, who was last seen early in the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 2.

An extensive ground search in January, which was led by the RCMP and received assistance from local search and rescue groups, was unsuccessful.

Photo Credit: RCMP
Robert Lee Baines

With the weather warming up and boating season approaching, the search will now focus on the water with specialized sonar equipment.

Crews will head to Kalamalka Lake on Thursday in the area around Kalamalka Park, from Rattlesnake Point to deeper waters.

They will be on a boat equipped with flashing lights that can easily be spotted by other boaters on the lake.

“It is requested that boaters stay a few hundred meters away from the search area,” urged Cpl. Tania Finn. “The wake from passing boats causes disturbances with the readings of the sonar which will extend the search efforts.”

Photo Credit: RCMP
The hat and boots Baines was wearing when last seen.

Earlier this month, police urged the public to keep Baines disappearance in mind as they start getting more active outdoors with the arrival of spring.

The senior was last seen in a green Tilley hat, green jacket, a grey Stanfields sweater, blue jeans and brown Merrell hiking boots.

According to police, he is 6’0” and 221 lbs with a bald head and brown eyes.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators in the search for Baines is urged to contact the local police as soon as possible.

More Info!

Local Community Advertising

Trending Stories

Kelowna theatre company ordered to pay performer over $55K

UPDATE: Police confirm Hwy 97 crash near Peachland was fatal

Dragons' Den star attacks government's plan to hike capital gains tax

Your Voice: Vindictive behaviour from Tom Dyas shows he can't handle the job

UPDATE: Massive overnight fire destroys church, school and more in Greenwood

Canfor blames BC government as it announces closure of sawmill

VIDEO: The case against alcohol on beaches

Fire ban announced for another BC fire centre