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Missing Abbotsford man found deceased in Chilliwack

Kenneth Berghall, 51, had been missing since May 20
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Kenneth Berghall

The body of an Abbotsford man who was reported missing May 27 was found on Saturday in Chilliwack.

Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said Kenneth Berghall, 51, was found deceased near McDonald and Ballam roads, a rural area along the Fraser River. He was found in the 2000 Ford Explorer which investigators had said he was likely driving at the time of his disappearance.

MacDonald said a passerby spotted Berghall and then called Chilliwack RCMP. There were no indications of foul play, and an autopsy will be conducted in the coming days, he said.

Berghall's only sibling, Rita Heslop of Aldergrove, reported him missing after family members had not heard from him for several days.

He had been active on social media on May 20, but otherwise had no contact with family or friends.

Video surveillance captured him making a purchase at the Highwayman Pub liquor store at about 4 p.m. that day.

Police released photos of a black 2000 Ford Explorer, the vehicle that Berghall often borrowed from a friend, in hopes of aiding in the search.

Heslop and her husband, Bruce, held a press conference on June 11, pleading for any information about her brother's disappearance.

At the time, they said the behaviour was out of character for Berghall, who had a 25-year-old daughter.

They said Berghall was an avid outdoorsman who loved four-by-fouring and was a "mud racer."

They also said that Berghall, a heavy duty mechanic, had no history of mental-health concerns, and he had recently seen a doctor about some heart issues, but the family wasn't aware that it was anything serious.



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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