Homicide under investigation after man’s body found

Police are investigating a homicide in the North Okanagan after a man’s body was found on 6 Mile Creek Road on the Okanagan Indian Band reserve.

The Southeast District Major Crime Unit (SED MCU) has been called to assist the Vernon RCMP in the investigation.

Mounties were contacted about the body on Sunday, May 29, at about 6:30 p.m.

Witnesses discovered the body after an altercation with an unknown individual who was driving recklessly.

The investigation found the vehicle was stolen and it was located at a Vernon business today, and during the recovery of the vehicle, a man associated to it was arrested.

“The investigation is ongoing to determine his involvement in this incident. The man currently remains in custody,” said Sgt. Chris Manseau, media relations officer with the BC RCMP .

Manseau stated at this point, the victim’s identity has not been confirmed,  and as such will not be released, pending an autopsy.

“The Coroners Service is conducting a concurrent fact-finding investigation into the death,” said the officer.

Manseau said serious crime unit investigators, along with the forensic identification team will be in the 6 Mile Creek Road area speaking to witnesses, and canvassing for video. No Okanagan Indian Band members are currently believed to be involved in this incident.

“Although this investigation is still in its early stages, officers advise that there are no known threats to public safety,” said Inspector Brent Novakoski, Southeast District Senior Investigating Officer of the BC RCMP Major Crime Section. “Investigators are asking residents from the 6 Mile Creek Road to examine their property for anything missing or out of place.”

If you have any information to give investigators, dash cam in the area or have video surveillance from May 29, 2022, please call the SED MCU information line at 1-877-987-8477.