Coroner rules Ben Kilmer's death a suicide

The B.C. Coroners Service report says that Vancouver Island electrician Ben Kilmerdied bysuicide.

The41-year-old father of two from Cobble Hill became the subject of an extensive search and media attention after his work van was discovered abandoned onCowichanLake Road west of Duncan, B.C., in May 2018.

RCMP saidthe van engine was still runningand asmall amount of blood and some personal items were foundinside.

Five months later, his remains were found by a hiker in a remote area seven kilometres away from where the van was left. Evidence suggested that he had made a camp at the location.

Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau said she was approached by widow Tonya Kilmerwho was seeking help in keeping some details of her husband's death private.

"We advocated for Tonyaas a constituent," said Furstenau. "She wanted to put the well-being of her family and her children at the forefront of everything."

Andy Watson of the B.C. Coroners Service said careful consideration went into deciding what information was released in the report.

"The chief coroner ...found that the public interest in the disclosure outweighed the personal privacy of the deceased in this instance," said Watson.

"The brief summary of findings contained in a coroner's report serves to establish the facts, address speculation and quiet the public imagination."

If you or someone you know needs help, call the B.C. Crisis Centre Distress Line number at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433.