B.C. Village Mourns Longtime Residents Killed in Landslide

The Village of Lions Bay is mourning the loss of two beloved residents, Barbara and David Enns, who died in a devastating landslide that struck the small community on Dec. 14.

The couple’s home was destroyed in the mudslide, which was triggered by a severe windstorm that swept across B.C.'s South Coast. David’s body was recovered the day after the slide, while search crews located Barbara’s remains on Dec. 21, according to Squamish RCMP.

“This has been a profound loss for the family and the community,” said Lions Bay Mayor Ken Berry.

A Week of Searching

Search efforts for Barbara lasted a full week, with professionals from multiple agencies and search dogs combing through the debris.

“I’m just thankful that we can have some closure prior to Christmas,” Berry said.

The landslide temporarily shut down the Sea to Sky Highway, a critical route connecting Vancouver to Whistler, disrupting travel in the area.

Longtime Residents, Cherished Friends

The Enns were cherished members of the tight-knit community of Lions Bay, which has a population of about 1,400 and is located 25 minutes north of Vancouver.

The couple had lived in the village for 40 to 50 years and were active participants in a local walking and hiking group.

“[Their] group was out this morning and were together, and it was very emotional for the members of our community,” Berry said.

The tragedy has deeply affected Lions Bay, where the Enns’ presence was a fixture for decades.

A Week of Losses

The Enns’ deaths bring the total fatalities from the Dec. 14 windstorm to three. The third victim, a person in Surrey, B.C., was killed by a falling tree branch.

As the community grapples with the loss, Environment Canada is warning of more storms set to hit B.C.’s South Coast in the coming week, including a powerful storm expected on Christmas Day.

Berry said the loss of Barbara and David Enns underscores the risks of living in a region prone to natural disasters.

“They were pillars of our community,” he said. “We will carry their memory with us as we face these challenges together.”