UPDATE 2: Suspect in double homicide located deceased
By Nelson Daily Staff
RCMP said Thursday that a man allegedly responsible for a double homicide in Creston on Wednesday evening has been found dead in Salmo.
On Jan. 6, 2021 just after 7 p.m., Creston RCMP and emergency medical first responders were called to the Highway 3 pullout near the Summit Creek Bridge 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.
The victim’s vehicle was located and recovered near Salmo and hours later, 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.
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,” said 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.
RCMP, BC Coroners Service investigating body in Salmo
RCMP in the area of Salmo, B.C. have located a man deceased and are working now to determine whether it is linked to an on-going double homicide investigation that began in Creston last 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.
The BC Coroners Service has been called and 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 BC Coroners Service to identify him which will aid in making that determination,” said RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey spokesperson for the BC RCMP in the Southeast District.
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,”” said RCMP Cpl. O’Donaghey.
An update will be provided as soon as one is available.
RCMP search for suspect in double homicide outside Creston
In a media release Thursday, the RCMP said the Southeast District Major Crime Unit has been deployed from Kelowna to take conduct of an investigation into the fatal stabbing of a man and a woman outside of Creston.
The deployment comes as RCMP in the BC Southern Interior search for a man now being considered a homicide suspect.
“On January 6, 2021 just after 7 p.m., Creston RCMP and emergency medical first responders were called to the Highway 3 pullout near the Summit Creek Bridge for reports of a man and a woman in need of immediate medical assistance,” the RCMP media release said.
“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.”
RCMP said front line officers arrived on scene to find an adult male 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,” RCMP said.
RCMP said the second victim, a 25-year-old West Kootenay woman, suffered serious injuries. The female victim was transported from the scene by BC Emergency Health Services to hospital where sadly she later succumbed to those injuries.
“This investigation is in its infancy, as major crime investigators and forensic specialists deploy to the area to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence,”states 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.”
BC RCMP have since located and recovered the victim’s stolen vehicle in the area of Salmo BC. 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.
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