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RCMP confirm body found in Salmo linked to double homicide

Body linked to two others

UPDATE: 3:50 p.m.

RCMP have now confirmed the man found dead earlier this morning in Salmo is believed to be responsible for a double homicide Wednesday night near Creston.

Investigators from the Southeast District in Kelowna who have been working on the case have determined, in partnership with the BC Coroners Office, the man they were looking for in connection with the Creston murders, was the same person found dead outside a motel near Salmo.

Police say criminality is not suspected.

The coroners office is continuing to investigate the cause of death.

"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, says S/Sgt. Scott Ashenbrenner Unit Commander of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit.

The identities of the three individuals are not being released.


ORIGINAL 11:50 a.m.

RCMP in the Kootenays are trying to determine whether the body of a deceased man near Salmo is connected to an on-going investigation into a double homicide in Creston Wednesday evening.

The body was discovered shortly after 9:30 a.m. when police were called to investigate a man who appeared to be passed out near an electrical shed at a motel in the Salmo area.

The man was "clearly deceased" when police arrived.

"While we have yet to confirm this man is connected to the on-going homicide investigation, we are certainly alive to the possibility," said Southeast District spokesman Jesse O'Donaghey.

"We are working closely with the BC Coroners Service to identify him which will aid in making that determination."

O'Donaghey says there is no reason to believe there is an 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."

The discovery of the body comes after RCMP located the vehicle belonging to the victims of Wednesday's double homicide in Salmo.

RCMP investigators have said they are looking for a male suspect in connection with the Creston murders.

The bodies of a man and woman were discovered on the side of the road near Creston Wednesday evening. They had been stabbed to death.



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