Missing man seen on ferry

Victoria Police aren’t commenting on print media reports that raise the possibility a missing Victoria man may have left the country because of financial dealings.

A few of Backer’s clients, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Times Colonist it looks as though they have lost a substantial amount of money due to his actions.

Now there are questions about the three-time Olympian’s work as a mutual fund dealer – his LinkedIn profile lists his company as Financial Backer Corporation.

On Tuesday, November 3, Victoria Police say a man matching Harold Backer’s description boarded the Coho ferry headed for Port Angeles and hasn’t been seen since.

It is unknown how many clients are affected.

Richard Gilhooley of the B.C. Securities Commission said he could not immediately provide further information on Backer.

Friends of Backer’s travelled to Port Angeles over the weekend to help with the search and combed trails near Hurricane Ridge, a popular biking area.

On Monday, Victoria police announced they are working with American police agencies to find Backer.

However, video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not show the man getting off the ferry in Port Angeles, he said. Sgt. Kris Rice in a statement.

Backer, a fixture in the Brentwood rowing community, also rowed for Canada in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.

That’s the day the 52-year-old former Canadian Olympic rower was last seen, wearing a red cycling jersey and black riding trousers. He may be riding a black Cannondale road bike.