For many years, human feet mysteriously appeared on the shores of the US and Canada, perplexing many people.
The reason behind these human feet washing up while people were enjoying the beach is rather grim, though not as sinister as one might expect.
This strange occurrence began in August 2007 when a young girl discovered a single sneaker on Jedediah Island, British Columbia.
Upon picking up the sneaker, the girl found a decaying foot inside.
Over the following decade, more human feet were found on beaches in the US and Canada, leading to various speculations about their origins.
Some speculated that it was the work of a serial killer, the ‘mafia’ disposing of bodies, or even extraterrestrials.
These theories, however, lacked any substantial evidence.
After another foot was found shortly after the first, Cpl. Garry Cox of Oceanside RCMP on Vancouver Island told CBC: “We have been informed that it looks like both feet had separated from the body by natural decomposition, possibly while in the water.”
The regional coroner, Rose Stanton, also confirmed: “Both feet were decomposing, but still had flesh on them.”
From 2007 to 2019, 21 feet were discovered by beachgoers. Although discovering these appendages was horrific, authorities were puzzled for years.
Thankfully, coroner Barb McLintock provided an explanation. “We pretty well think we know what happened in every case. There’s none that have any suggestion of homicide.. in every case there is an alternate, very reasonable explanation,” he told the National Post.
Addressing the speculative tales involving aliens and murderers, he remarked: “It’s sad but true… a lot of this is simply the quelling of the public imagination, to say, no, this is unfortunate and they’re all very sad cases.”
The key lies in advancements in running shoe technology.
“It really didn’t come up until we had running shoes that floated so well. Before, they just stayed down there at the bottom of the ocean,” McLintock explained.
The feet are often believed to belong to individuals who either took their own lives or drowned accidentally, with their bodies sinking to the ocean floor.
As marine creatures feed on the bodies, the feet eventually detach and float to the surface, later washing ashore.