Ernest Jensen (Correctional Service of Canada)
METCHOSIN, B.C., — Update: The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) confirms that as a result of 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 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, CSC 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.
Original story: On June 28, 2026, during the noon count, staff members at William Head Institution, a minimum security federal institution, discovered that Ernest Egon Jensen was not accounted for.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) immediately contacted the Westshore Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Ernest Egon Jensen is 69 years old, measures 5’8” in height and weighs 228 lbs. The inmate has a fair complexion, brown eyes, is bald, and has a scar on his forehead. He is also missing three fingers on his left hand.
The inmate is currently serving a life sentence for second degree murder since March 20, 1991. He has also served sentences for break and enter and trespassing.
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Ernest Egon Jensen is asked to contact the police.
CSC will investigate the circumstances of this incident and is working with the police to locate the offender as quickly as possible.
CSC has given the police all of the information available to help arrest the inmate.
