Vernon RCMP deem death of person found downtown ‘suspicious’

Vernon RCMP have confirmed the body of a deceased individual found early this morning in downtown Vernon is being treated as suspicious.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, police were called to assist B.C. Ambulance Service personnel who were responding to an unresponsive person in the 3300 block of 32 Avenue at 2 a.m. today, Jan. 5.

READ MORE: Deceased person found in downtown Vernon

"The initial investigation conducted by the responding officers determined the person’s death to be suspicious," Vernon North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Const. Chris Terleski said in the release. 

"As a result, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP’s General Investigation Section, with assistance of the RCMP Forensic Identification Service, are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the individual’s death."

The B.C. Coroners Service is assisting with the investigation and the RCMP has said that neither agency will be releasing information related to the victim’s identity.

The RCMP is asking anyone who was in the area between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m Jan. 5 to contact them, along with anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or has information related to the incident at 250-545-7171.

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