A Canadian soldier who went missing earlier this week while deployed in Latvia has been found dead, the Department of National Defence confirmed Saturday.
Warrant Officer George Hohl, a vehicle technician with 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron based in Edmonton, had been serving with the Aviation Battalion under the NATO Multinational Brigade-Latvia as part of Operation Reassurance.
The 20-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran was last seen Sept. 2 and was located deceased on Sept. 5, officials said.
Military police are assisting Latvian authorities with the investigation, though officials say there is no indication the incident poses any increased threat to other deployed members.
Lt.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, said he was “deeply saddened” by the outcome.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to Warrant Officer Hohl’s family, loved ones and friends during this difficult time,” Boivin said in a statement. “Warrant Officer Hohl’s two decades of service with the Canadian Armed Forces are a testament of his dedication to Canada both at home and abroad.”
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan also expressed her condolences, saying the loss “has hit us all very hard.”
“Warrant Officer Hohl will be remembered for his many years of dedicated service, and our hearts are with all who knew him during this time of great sorrow,” she said.
