The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) confirms that as a result of vigilant and coordinated efforts of law enforcement partners and CSC staff, supported by an extensive search operation in the surrounding area, the body of inmate Ernest Egon Jensen was found in the ocean off the coast of Metchosin, Vancouver Island, near William Head Institution.
Ernest Jensen was a federal inmate who had been unlawfully at large as of yesterday, June 28, 2026, when staff of William Head Institution, a minimum-security facility, discovered he was unaccounted for. Yesterday, CSC followed escape protocols and issued public notifications to seek the help of the public and media in locating the individual.
At the time of death, the inmate was 69 years old and had been serving a life sentence for second degree murder since March 20, 1991. He has also served sentences for break and enter and trespassing.
The inmate's next of kin and any registered victims have been notified.
As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, we will review the circumstances of the events of the past two days. CSC policy requires that the coroner be notified, who will be responsible for determining the cause of death.
We would like to thank all of our police partners and the local community in Metchosin, and surrounding areas, for their collaboration and assistance.
