A Victoria man whose body was found in bushes off Beach Drive Wednesday morning is being remembered as a nice guy who had his struggles but loved his mother and was motivated to be a good father to his two children.
Victoria lawyer Peter Blokmanis said he was very sad to learn that his former client, 33-year-old Steven Middleton, had died under suspicious circumstances in Oak Bay this week.
“He was a nice kid. I know he had his struggles, but he loved his mum very much. I feel awful for his mum. I know he lost his father a few years ago and that was a source of inspiration for him. I think he had the ability to look to that as a reason to straighten himself out,” said Blokmanis, who had represented Middleton for several years.
“I hadn’t seen him in a while and I assumed things were going well for him. I always hoped for the best for him.”
Middleton had issues that would sidetrack him from time to time and prevent him from getting on the straight and narrow, said Blokmanis.
“There had been allegations that he was running with the wrong crowd, but I didn’t see much evidence of that myself. I also know he had periods of time where things were going well for him and he had these sources of inspiration. We had a couple of heart to hearts,” he said.
Middleton’s mother-in-law Tracy MacSwan said Middleton was very loved by his two children, Blake and Sophia, and looked forward to a life with him in it. “Sophia loves her father to the moon and back,” said MacSwan.
The feelings were mutual. In May, Middleton wrote on his Facebook page: “I just want someone to love me for who I am no matter what!!! I can always count on Sophia to do just that I love her to bits!!!”
The post has 11 photographs of a smiling Middleton with Sophia on his shoulders.
A fundraising page has been set up to support Middleton's family.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is asking anyone with information about Middleton’s activities this week or anyone who was with him to contact the major crime unit’s information line at 250-380-6211.
Investigators are also asking for dash-cam video from anyone who travelled on Beach Drive between Cadboro Bay Village, near the University of Victoria, and Gonzales Bay in Victoria, or on any of the surrounding streets between 10 p.m. July 25 and 7 a.m. July 26.
Anyone with dash-cam footage is asked to submit their video to Saanich police through the evidence submission portal for the case at tinyurl.com/saanich-evidence.
Middleton’s body was discovered about 8 a.m. Wednesday by two people out for a morning walk.
There is no information to suggest there is a risk to the public, police said.
