UPDATE Dead man was suspect in double murder

Jan 7, 2021 | 4:00 PM

UPDATE 4:00 p.m.

RCMP have confirmed a man found dead in the small B.C. community of Salmo today was the suspect in a double homicide investigation.

Creston RCMP and emergency medical first responders were called to the Highway 3 pullout near the Summit Creek Bridge Wednesday night (Jan. 6) for reports of a man and a woman in need of immediate medical assistance. Police learned that both victims had been stabbed by a suspect who reportedly fled the scene in a motor vehicle associated to one of the victims (link to original news release).

The victim’s vehicle was located and recovered near Salmo and hours later, and a man’s body was found near a motel in the same town.

Investigators, in partnership with the BC Coroners Service have now determined, the man whom officers were searching for in relation to the double homicide, is the man found dead in Salmo on Thursday morning. Criminality is not suspected.

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The BC Coroners Service is continuing its investigation into the man’s death to determine all the facts.

“We can appreciate this is not the outcome the victims’ families may have hoped for but we hope this news brings them comfort in their grief,” stated S/Sgt. Scott Ashenbrenner Unit Commander of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit.

Neither the victims or suspect will be identified by police or the BC Coroners Service.

UPDATE 11:34 a.m.

RCMP in the area of Salmo B.C. have located a dead man and are now trying to determine if he is linked to a double homicide investigation that began in Creston Wednesday night.

“At approximately 9:40 a.m. this morning, a front line officer from the Salmo RCMP was called to investigate a man passed out near an electrical shed at a local area motel. When the officer arrived they discovered a man, who was clearly deceased,” Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, media relations for the RCMP’s Southeast District, stated.

The BC Coroners Service is conducting its own investigation to determine the facts surrounding the man’s death.

“While we have yet to confirm this man is connected to the on-going homicide investigation we are certainly alive to the possibility. We are working closely with the Coroners Service to identify him which will aid in making that determination,” O’Donaghey added.

Police do not believe there is any on-going risk to the public.

“We understand there is significant interest in both investigations, however we ask the public avoid the area, to allow the investigation into the man’s death to continue,” O’Donaghey added.

An update will be provided as soon as one is available.

Original story 9 a.m.

A manhunt is underway in B.C.’s Southern Interior after two people were stabbed to death in the Kootenays.

RCMP say on Wednesday (Jan. 6) just after 7 p.m., RCMP and emergency medical first responders were called to the Highway 3 pullout near the Summit Creek Bridge near Creston for reports of a man and a woman in need of immediate medical assistance. Police learned that both victims had been stabbed by a suspect who reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle associated to one of the victims.

“Officers arrived on scene to find an adult man victim in grave condition. Officers immediately rendered first aid, however despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene the 40-year-old Calgary man was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, District Advisory Media Relations, RCMP
Southeast District, stated.

The second victim, a 25-year-old West Kootenay woman, suffered serious injuries. She was transported by BC Emergency Health Services to hospital where died of her injuries.

“The RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit has been deployed from Kelowna to take conduct of an investigation into the fatal stabbing outside of Creston, as RCMP in the B.C. Southern Interior search for a man now being considered a homicide suspect,” O’Donaghey added.

“Major crime investigators and forensic specialists will be at the scene to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence,” stated S/Sgt. Scott Aschenbrenner, Unit Commander of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit. “Investigators have reason to believe the suspect and the victims were known to one another.”

RCMP have since located and recovered the victim’s stolen vehicle in the area of Salmo B.C. The vehicle remains part of the ongoing criminal investigation. RCMP continue to search for the suspect who remains at large at this time.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Creston RCMP at 250-428-9313. Or remain completely anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

by Pete McIntyre

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