A full-patch Hells Angel with the Hardside Chapter was found murdered under the Golden Ears Bridge on Sunday.

Chad Wilson, a former Hells Angel in San Diego, then Haney, joined the biker gang’s newest chapter when it formed last year.

Several of his friends had reported him missing the night before his body was found in the 20000-block of Wharf Street, Postmedia has learned.

Firefighters were first called to the scene about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. They immediately called in the Mounties when they found Wilson’s body.

Friends of Wilson’s, wearing their death-head patched Hells Angels vests, soon showed up at the scene.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is working with Ridge Meadows RCMP on the case.

Wilson’s name had not been released by police, but fellow bikers and family were already paying tribute to the dead 43-year-old on Sunday night.

Wilson was a high-profile and popular member of the Hells Angels and his murder is expected to increase the volatility in the Lower Mainland gang landscape.

Police are saying only that Wilson’s death was targeted and that he was known to police.

In fact, he was known to police in several parts of the world.

In 2013, Wilson was charged in Spain with B.C. Hells Angel Jason Arkinstall and two associates after police there seized half a tonne of cocaine from a sailboat that had arrived from Colombia.