Police say the death of a Surrey teen who was missing for five weeks is not considered suspicious.
The family of Joseph Maku, 18, learned on Friday, Nov. 29 that he had been found deceased, more than five weeks after he was first reported missing. In a social media post in the Missing Person: Joseph Maku Facebook group on Friday evening, his older sister, Brenda Maku, said the family learned today that Joseph has been found deceased in Delta.
"It has been reported that he has been deceased since October 22, the day we reported him as missing. The cause of death is still under investigation by the BC Coroners Service, the investigation is still ongoing," her post said.
On Monday, Dec. 2, Surrey RCMP issued a press release noting Joseph's death "is not considered suspicious."
"Surrey Police Service and the RCMP offer condolences to the family and friends of Joseph Maku," the release said.
Joseph's' friends and family gathered for a vigil in his honour on Sunday evening outside his former school, North Delta Secondary.
The day Joseph disappeared, Brenda had left him at home when she went out to school. Joseph, who was a first-year student in kinesiology at UBC, was expected to be at home studying but was not there when Brenda returned that night. The family reported his disappearance to police by 2 a.m.
Surrey RCMP later released information about bus routes Joseph had taken on the day he disappeared, when he reportedly got on and off of multiple buses in Surrey.
In her social media post, Brenda Maku thanked all the people who turned out to help the family look for Joseph with multiple search parties.
"Countless days and nights were spent in the cold, in the rain, in different cities and parks trying to find him, and so many people have continued to let me know how loved and cared for Joseph was," she posted.
The family has asked for privacy.
Joseph's older sister, Brenda Maku, created a fundraiser on Nov. 22 to help cover the family's living costs as they searched for Joseph and now grieve his loss.
"When Joseph first went missing, we were all shocked. Now, we are absolutely devastated with the news, and have to shift our focus while also mourning this loss in our family," reads the fundraiser.
Joseph's mother, Rose, lost her husband and Joseph's father, Dominic, 15 years ago when he died from liver cancer. She raised all five of her children by herself and worked hard to provide for them. "Since Joseph went missing, she has not been able to work, and now that Joseph has passed away, her returning to work soon becomes less likely."
Funds will help pay for funeral costs, rent, food, groceries, bills, counselling, and mental wellness.
