Suspect arrested in Golden Ears Provincial Park memorial-graffiti case

A suspect has been arrested after boulders at Golden Ears Provincial Park near Vancouver were spray-painted with graffiti apparently intended as a memorial to a drowning victim, police say.

Maple Ridge RCMP said Monday the suspect surrendered to authorities and was released on a promise to appear in court. Images and video of the painted rocks had prompted widespread criticism online.

Police said such vandalism can harm the environment, detract from other visitors’ experience and create avoidable cleanup costs. The detachment expressed sympathy for the drowned man’s family and friends, and encouraged people wishing to pay respects to use legal and appropriate means.

The investigation remains underway in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and Parks, which is conducting its own investigation. The Gold Creek area where the graffiti was found has seen multiple deaths and injuries over the years because of dangerous currents and a waterfall.

RCMP said it recognizes the public interest in the case and asked the public not to draw conclusions until investigators have examined all the facts.