Man's DNA matches severed foot

VICTORIA, British Columbia, July 20 (UPI) -- Canadian officials say they have matched DNA from a severed foot found on the coast of British Columbia to a man who disappeared last year.

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesman said familial DNA samples were taken to link the foot to the man who disappeared in British Columbia's Lower Mainland, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Saturday.

Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre said police did not suspect foul play in the case.

"We were able to notify the family yesterday, and out of respect for them, they asked that we give them at least 48 hours to get together as a family with other relatives and deal with this development," Lemaitre said.

Five severed feet in running shoes have been found on islands in the Georgia Strait and Fraser River in the past year, the report said.

Officials say the feet do not seem to have become detached intentionally.