Canada: Sixth foot find 'was a hoax'

The coroner’s office in British Columbia, Canada called the discovery of a sixth floating human foot a hoax, saying today it was really an animal paw stuffed inside a running shoe.

At first, yesterday’s discovery seemed to deepen the mystery surrounding the feet, all found floating along island shorelines in the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver.

However, the coroner’s office called the latest find a hoax, saying an animal’s foot had been inserted inside the shoe.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say whoever is behind the hoax could face charges.

“Whoever is responsible for this took the time to ensure that the remains were set up to closely resemble human remains,” RCMP Inspector Brendan FitzPatrick said.

Mr FitzPatrick said the fact someone would go to such lengths for the hoax is disturbing.

“Due to the nature of these incidents over the past year, many families with missing loved ones are closely watching and wondering if it is their loved one who has been found. The insensitivity shown to the families and the victims involved is unbelievable,” he said.

The feet all were recovered within a few miles of each other along island shorelines in the Strait of Georgia, which lies to the south and west of the city of Vancouver.

Authorities say they haven’t reached any conclusions about the origin of the five human feet.