Missing Canadian Journalist Dave Walker Found Dead in Cambodia

[sabaijai]

Missing Canadian Journalist Dave Walker Found Dead in Cambodia

Statement by Dave Walker’s Family

1 May 2014

Dear all,

The family, friends, and many loved ones of Dave Walker are deeply saddened that Dave was found dead today, May 1, at the Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

He had been missing since he disappeared from his residence under very disturbing circumstances in Siem Reap on February 14 this year.

Dave Walker’s family wants to thank the Cambodian Siem Reap Provincial Immigration Police for their professional cooperation and efforts, in particular when Dave’s body was found near the Victory gate entranceway at the Angkor Wat temples late this morning.

The site where his body was discovered was secured by Cambodian authorities and, at the request of Dave’s family, a senior medical doctor from Siem Reap went to the site to do a professional examination of Dave’s body to determine the proper procedures to follow to determine the cause of his death. The doctor, after a professional examination, concluded he could not determine the cause of death and recommended a specialist pathologist be brought in to determine the cause and circumstances of Dave’s death and that an autopsy be performed.

Cambodian law enforcement officials from the Siem Reap provincial Immigration police, whose cooperation is appreciated by the family of Dave Walker, secured the scene and said it appeared that Dave died several weeks ago. A pathologist is being brought in to confirm forensics and a medical autopsy will be arranged to attempt to determine the cause and time of Dave’s death.

Dave’s body was reportedly discovered by a Cambodian child and the Cambodian police have secured the area, pending further investigation.

Dave lived a remarkable life and was loved by many thousands around the world. We want to thank the Cambodian people for the love they have shown Dave that was equal to the nearly 30 years of love Dave devoted to Cambodia and it’s people.

Many thousands of Cambodians, as did Dave, died under senseless and tragic circumstances. Dave devoted his life to bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of more than 2 million Cambodian in the 30 years he worked and lived in that country.

Dave Walker’s family asks that the Cambodian authorities continue their efforts to determine the cause of Dave’s disappearance and death and Dave’s family and loved ones request that the Canadian government begin now to formally investigate, in order to move forward and bring those who were responsible for Dave’s senseless death to justice. The family requests that their privacy be respected and that people respect the investigation into the circumstances and causes of Dave Walker’s death.

On behalf of Dave Walker’s family: Brad Gordon in Phnom Penh, Cambodia ([email protected]/+855 78 777 417).

http://www.nate-thayer.com/canadian-journalist-dave-walker-found-dead-cambodia/

[Pikeybkk]

What a sad outcome, rip

[ChrisY1]

Very sad....a good man and gentleman......rip...

[Thaiisnotrequired]

Only one comment. Those of us who have lived here for a long time have an understanding. RIP David.

[losworld]

my condolensces sounds like a good man

[rhodie]

RIP Dave. I hope you are in a good place!

[templedog]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

[moe666]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

Did you not read the OP about the discovery of his body, praise for government cooperation, disappeared from home under mysterious circumstances, and ME could not determine cause of death at scene.

[kuiburi]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

Dave was working on a movie or doco . Think its called "the poorestman" .

Sadly he wasn't given the time to finish it .

Hope his mates and colleagues will finish his project to honour him .

Travel well Dave

Wishing strength for his family and mates .

[JohnThailandJohn]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

Not really understanding either why this is a news story on TV.

[sabaijai]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

Not really understanding either why this is a news story on TV.

Dave Walker lived and worked in Thailand for many years, and still had many friends and professional ties here.

[JohnThailandJohn]

This guy seems to have got around according to another news source that states he used to be be a Hollywood "Fixer" and worked anti terrorism within the British Army 14th Intelligence Company in Northern Ireland.

Dave at the Madrid Bar in Bangkok - http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2014/05/01/21641256.html

Edited May 1, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[Skywalker69]

R.I.P

[noitom]

Condolences to his family.

[freebyrd]

This guy seems to have got around according to another news source that states he used to be be a Hollywood "Fixer" and worked anti terrorism within the British Army 14th Intelligence Company in Northern Ireland.

Dave at the Madrid Bar in Bangkok - http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2014/05/01/21641256.html

Obviously well kown and accomplished, but a Canadian in 14 Int? I spent the first 36 years of my life in and around the army. Anyone that tells you he was special forces, SAS, 14 Int, SBS, probably wasn't as they are conditioned not to advertise the fact.

[sabaijai]

Canadian filmmaker Dave Walker found dead in Cambodia

Edmonton native last seen Feb. 14 found dead near Angkor temple

CBC News Posted: May 01, 2014 7:07 AM ET Last Updated: May 01, 2014 9:33 PM ET

Dave Walker, a Canadian filmmaker who went missing in Cambodia in February, was found dead Thursday, raising concerns in Edmonton that his death may have been a homicide.

A statement issued on behalf of Walker's family said his body was reportedly discovered at the Angkor temples near Siem Reap, Cambodia. Cambodian law enforcement officials told the family it appeared Walker had died several weeks ago and that there were no initial signs of foul play.

"Absolutely there is the fear that he is murdered — that is the very likely scenario," friend and former colleague Paul Vronsky told CBC Radio in Edmonton today. The family wants to ensure a transparent and professional investigation, he said.

Edmonton journalist and filmmaker Dave Walker has been found dead at the Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia. A family statement said a doctor at the site was unable to determine a cause of death. (Facebook)

The family's statement said a doctor at the site was unable to determine a cause of death and an autopsy will be held to try to determine how and when Walker died.

The man's body, lying face up, was found Wednesday evening local time by children who were foraging for fruit, forensic officer Pheng Pich of Siem Reap police said.

He said the body was that of a Western male, but confirmation of his identity had to await DNA tests.

Tith Narong, a senior officer with the Siem Reap provincial police, said friends and acquaintances identified Walker on the basis of his clothing.

Walker, 58, had been living in Cambodia for the past year and a half. He was staying at a guest house. He had stepped out so a housekeeper could tend to his room, and he was not seen again. He left behind his cellphone, passport and laptop computer.

The disappearance baffled family and friends, who said Walker spoke the local Khmer language, knew the streets and was familiar with Cambodian culture.

Walker and a partner had set up a film company in Siem Reap in July 2012 called Animist Farm Films. They had recently been working on a documentary about the Khmer Rouge regime, which left an estimated two million people dead during its rule from 1975 to 1979.

"The concern is that the policing system in Cambodia is very Byzantine and distant from us in geography and in time," Vronsky said.

"We have all sorts of parallel information about possible connections to Dave's disappearance and are unsure of the progress of the investigation — why certain things are not being looked at harder."

Walker grew up in Edmonton but last lived in Toronto, where he studied for a master's degree at York University in 2009. His family said he had lived and worked in Southeast Asia on and off for years.

He also co-authored a non-fiction book, called Hello My Big Big Honey, which chronicles the experiences of Bangkok bar girls and their Western admirers.

Vronsky said there is nothing to suggest that Walker would have gone to the Angkor temple area on his own.

The Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported on its website that the body believed to be Walker's was found about 200 metres from the entrance to Angkor Thom, one of numerous temples in the area. The site is about a 20-minute drive north of Siem Reap's central area.

While the temple is a popular tourist destination, it's unlikely Walker would have gone there alone on foot.

"Dave’s knees were quite weak," Vronsky told CBC News. "He was having knee problems, so he would not have, certainly in the heat of the day … walked that sort of distance — especially without being seen in the area as he was walking out."

It was "way beyond" walking distance from Walker's guest house, Vronsky said.

"So he was transported somehow to that area."

Immigration police officer Yut Sinin had said earlier that an investigation had turned up no clues about where Walker might have gone on Feb. 14.

Yut Sinin said Walker occasionally went to neighbouring Thailand, but it seemed unlikely this time.

"I just want to say, I don't think he went anywhere by himself," Sonny Chhoun, his partner in Animist Farm Films, was quoted as saying in the Phnom Penh Post.

"I think something is wrong. I don't think he would just leave, with his phone on the charger, and go somewhere. This is very unnatural for Dave. I know him very well."

Shawn Crispin, senior Southeast Asia representative for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, said the organization was "deeply concerned" about Walker's disappearance.

Walker's family is now requesting the Canadian government to formally investigate his disappearance and death, according to the statement, "in order to move forward and bring those who were responsible for Dave's senseless death to justice."

A spokesperson for the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular Services told CBC News the government is investigating the matter.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of a Canadian citizen who has passed away in Cambodia,” Saro Khatchadourian wrote in an email. “Consular officials are providing assistance to the family during this difficult time and are in contact with local authorities to gather more information.”

“Due to privacy concerns, we cannot provide more information.”

In the meantime, Walker's family and friends mourn.

"Dave lived a remarkable life and was loved by many thousands around the world. We want to thank the Cambodian people for the love they have shown Dave that was equal to the nearly 30 years of love Dave devoted to Cambodia and its people," the family's statement read.

"Many thousands of Cambodians, as did Dave, died under senseless and tragic circumstances. Dave devoted his life to bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of more than two million Cambodian in the 30 years he worked and lived in that country.​"

The family is also requesting their privacy be respected during this time.

[DirtFarmer]

RIP Dave.... continued kudos to the Cambodian Officials Condolences to the family

[Frank James]

Evil thrives while good men fall all around us. RIP Brother.

[cloghead]

Dave and I met about 15 years ago and continued our friendship since then. I'm truly saddened to see a great guy pass on and I'll miss him. Vaya con Dios amigo...

I sincerely hope the usual ThaiVisa wannabee CSI's will keep their pathetic and unwanted opinions to themselves regarding this tragic event...

Edited May 2, 2014 by cloghead

[larsjohnsson]

R.I.P Dave

[ggt]

There was a time when journalist...got a free pass...were left unmolested...now they are purposely targeted...many have died in recent years covering political strife...investigating corruption...so sad...

[indyuk]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

Hi templedog; I never met David Walker but in the 20 years I have been in Asia his name is legendary. David was reporter, photographer, Temple geek, wanderer, friendly helpful with anybody needing help or advice, he was the 'Lonely Planet Man' in Asia before Lonely Planet had been invented. His reputation as a stalwart of integrity seeps out of his temple walls although it was he that had built them.

One day last February he walked out of his room with no luggage or camera, food or gear and seemingly disappeared.

The room he left behind was scattered with his things and looking as though he'd just popped out for a hamburger.

You know the rest from the article above. I hope my sketch is reasonably accurate as it is only hearsay or comes from the papers I have read and his Legend of a man that is now in paradise. R.I.P David Walker

Edited May 2, 2014 by indyuk

[Varangkul]

With all due respect.....I have never heard of this man. I am very curious to know any motives surrounding his death.

Any one out there know who or why....of how he died? Smells of gov't cover up to me.

Hi templedog; I never met David Walker but in the 20 years I have been in Asia his name is legendary. David was reporter, photographer, Temple geek, wanderer, friendly helpful with anybody needing help or advice, he was the 'Lonely Planet Man' in Asia before Lonely Planet had been invented. His reputation as a stalwart of integrity seeps out of his temple walls although it was he that had built them.

One day last February he walked out of his room with no luggage or camera, food or gear and seemingly disappeared.

The room he left behind was scattered with his things and looking as though he'd just popped out for a hamburger.

You know the rest from the article above. I hope my sketch is reasonably accurate as it is only hearsay or comes from the papers I have read and his Legend of a man that is now in paradise. R.I.P David Walker

Similarities with the Jim Thompson disappearance.

[SOTIRIOS]

..previous postings mentioned someone wanted him 'silenced'......