The Salish Sea Feet
On 20 August 2007, a girl walking on Jedediah Island in British Columbia found a size 12 Adidas running shoe on the beach. It contained a foot. Within a year, five more feet had washed up on shorelines around the Salish Sea. By 2024 the count had reached twenty one. All were wearing shoes. Most were right feet. The shoes kept the remains buoyant and protected from marine life long enough to wash ashore, sometimes years after the person died.
What investigation found
Forensic analysis identified most feet as belonging to individuals who had drowned or fallen into the water, many linked to missing persons cases. The buoyancy of modern running shoes explains the survival of the remains. What investigators could not fully explain was the clustering. The Salish Sea's tidal patterns create natural convergence zones, but the frequency of finds has no clear historical precedent.
First find
August 2007, Jedediah Island, British Columbia.
Total finds
21 confirmed human feet by 2024, across both Canadian and US shores.
Footwear
All found in modern running shoes, which provide natural buoyancy.
Identified
Several linked to missing persons by DNA. Not all have been matched.
Hoaxes
At least two feet turned out to be planted, including one in an animal foot.
"The feet are a natural consequence of ocean currents, buoyant footwear and human remains in the water. There is no evidence of foul play in the majority of cases.
"BC Coroners Service statement
Modern running shoes are designed to float. A decomposing body will naturally shed its extremities first, and the shoe keeps the foot intact long after the rest is gone.
At least two finds were deliberate hoaxes, which complicated both public trust and forensic processing of the genuine remains.