The search for a 22-year-old Canadian Forces private ended tragically Wednesday afternoon when his body was recovered from the Cataraqui River.

Ontario Provincial Police’s underwater search and recovery unit recovered Pte. Michal Beaman’s body at roughly 3:30 p.m., just south of the LaSalle Causeway.

“Our condolences go out to Michal’s family, friends and colleagues,” a news release from Canadian Forces Base Kingston said. “We wish to thank the community, the Kingston Police and the OPP for their assistance in finding Michal.”

Beaman was last seen early last Saturday morning. He was a reservist taking a course at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics from the Saint John, N.B., detachment of the 37 Signal Regiment. He had gone out with his course mates Friday night to The Spot nightclub in the Hub before he left with a woman just before midnight. Surveillance footage showed the woman returning to the bar and Beaman leaving the area.

When he did not return to barracks Saturday morning, his chain of command was notified and an investigation by the Military Police ensued. His parents were notified of his disappearance on Sunday and they drove through the night to Kingston from Saint John.

On Monday, a massive search was initiated from CFB Kingston, and on Tuesday, Beaman’s parents, Robert and Natalie, joined them.

“We will not speculate on any aspects of this situation, and will respect the investigation that is still underway,” the release said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Military Police at 613-541-5010, ext. 2044.

Natalie told the Whig-Standard on Tuesday that her son had plans to become a lineman and was training to become one via the Canadian Forces. The course he’d started in Kingston earlier this month was to become just that.

Natalie said that on Thursday, Michal had a very difficult test and was worried that he had failed it, but then on Friday he learned he’d passed with flying colours.

“He had really found his groove with the course and was really excited,” Natalie said. “When I last spoke to him, he was very happy that he was doing well. … He’d said he was so honoured to have been chosen and given a spot, and he said, ‘I’m going to do them proud,’ and he worked hard.”

scrosier@postmedia.com

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