On Saturday June 9, 1973, at around 3:25AM, 20 year old Scott Emanuel Cooper was found unconscious at the intersection of West Saanich Rd/ Wilkinson Rd.
In 1973 Investigators were able to establish that Scott had been downtown until around 1:30AM where he caught a taxi from Douglas St/Hillside Ave to the old Town and Country Mall (now Uptown Shopping Centre). At around 3:00AM Scott hitchhiked from Town and Country Mall and was dropped off West Saanich Rd/Elk Lake Dr at 3:10AM.
At 3:25AM a passing motorist found Mr. Cooper unconscious at the intersection of West Saanich Rd/Wilkinson Rd. Scott Cooper was transported to Victoria General Hospital (St. Joseph’s Hospital) and remained in a coma until he died on July 19, 1973.
One theory, at the time, was that Scott may have been the victim of a hit and run however that was never proven. A number of Scott’s family members, friends and witnesses were spoken to during the course of the investigation however his cause of death was never determined. A Coroners inquest was also held in 1973 and the results of the inquest were also inconclusive.
Since 1973 Saanich Police have conducted various additional investigative steps as advancements in science and technology take place. Scott Cooper’s family still lives in the Greater Victoria area and, nearly 45 years later, are still looking for answers surrounding Scott’s death.
Saanich Police are still asking for anyone with information regarding Scott Cooper’s death to contact them via their information line at 1-888-980-1919 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
SPD File 1973-6695 refers
Sgt. Jereme Leslie