Family says B.C. senior missing in Thailand has made contact, but RCMP still verifying news

Dale Philip Hofstrand, 71, is seen in a B.C. RCMP handout image.

The RCMP has received a hopeful update on the apparent disappearance of a B.C. senior in Thailand – but is still asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward.

Not long after Fort St. John RCMP issued a missing person’s notice about Dale Philip Hofstrand on Thursday, the 71-year-old’s family told authorities they had finally received word from him, after approximately two weeks without contact.

The family was told Hofstrand had been experiencing “cellphone difficulties,” which have seemingly been resolved, the detachment said in a news release Friday.

Investigators are still working to confirm the good news, however.

“The Fort St. John RCMP are working with the family and are in the process of trying to have an approved verifier confirm this information prior to removing Dale from the missing person list and concluding the investigation,” said Const. Chad Neustaeter, in a statement.

Prior to that update, the family had not heard from Hofstrand since Feb. 7 – two days after dropping him off at the Fort St. John airport for his trip.

With the case still open, the RCMP reiterated calls for the public’s assistance Friday.

Hofstrand is described as a 5’8” tall white man who weighs 216 lbs., has green eyes, and is balding with white hair. Authorities said he has difficulty walking, and an “almost constant wobble” while either standing or sitting.

The RCMP asked anyone with information relevant to the missing person’s case to call the detachment at 250-787-8100.