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The cousin of a 39-year-old man whose remains were found on an Interlake property nearly two months after he went missing says his family is in shock and seeking answers about what happened to Darryl Lambert.
Gimli RCMP confirmed in a Thursday news release that remains discovered earlier this week inside a vehicle on property in Riverton, Man. — about 110 kilometres north of Winnipeg — were Lambert’s.
Richard Lea, 41, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Lambert’s death, police said.
Lambert was last seen at a home in the small Interlake community on March 15, RCMP previously said. His vehicle was found at the Riverton Motor Inn shortly after he disappeared.
His cousin Michael Clasen spent weeks searching marshes, lakes and trails, hoping to find Lambert or any information that could point in the right direction.
“It totally consumed my life, day in and day out, searching and searching and not sleeping,” said Clasen, who travelled back and forth from Winnipeg to look for his cousin, sometimes searching by himself.
“I discovered places I never thought I would have gone or walked to — just countless hours searching.”
Now that Lambert’s body has been found and an arrest has been made, Clasen said members of his family need answers about what happened to the 39-year-old before he died.
RCMP said Lea has been remanded in custody and Gimli police are still investigating, along with the RCMP’s major crime services and forensic identification services units.
“As much as I don’t really want to know … I want to know what happened,” Clasen said.
“We’re anxious now to get some more answers.”
Clasen said Lambert had been taking care of his sick mother, who died shortly before he went missing.
He was last seen around the time the family was planning his mother’s funeral, Clasen said.
Clasen said he felt thankful that he got to spend time with Lambert in the final weeks of his life, as they went on drives together and spent time by the lake.
“He had a big heart. If you needed something, he would be there to lend a hand if you could,” his cousin said, describing Lambert as a talented electrician who had a “great smile.”
Clasen said while he’s devastated by the loss, there’s at least a slight sense of closure after a lengthy search. Still, more questions remain, he said.
“Now we just want answers.”