Sources cast doubt on ‘murder-suicide’

WEST KELOWNA – Police may have more work ahead of them if they think two people found dead on the side of a West Kelowna road died as a result of a murder-suicide, say sources who have proven knowledge about the situation.

Kimberley Ansell, 31, and Marcello Verna, 20, were found dead off the side of the road in a small patch of trees on Shannon Way near Westville Way at around 7 a.m. March 2.

West Kelowna RCMP first called the deaths "sudden" and a carefully worded release today, March 11, led to speculation by local media that it was a murder-suicide and police were only assisting the B.C. Coroners Service at this stage.

“Our investigation has revealed no indication of any third party person involved,” Const. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a release. “Both deceased knew each other and were believed to be involved in a relationship.”

One source, who must remain anonymous, says if they were in a relationship, Verna wasn’t Ansell’s only boyfriend.

"I know it wasn't (a murder-suicide)," the source says. “(The other boyfriend) threatened (Verna)… and told him to stay away from her."

The scene would be an odd place for a murder-suicide. It was roughly one block from where Ansell lived and their bodies were found on the only stretch of road without any street lights. The bodies were found by a resident. An unconfirmed report from a neighbour said Ansell was shot in the head; Verna in the chest.

Police have confirmed a gun was found at the scene but haven’t said who they think murdered who. 

"I haven’t been provided those specific details and that will probably be in the the coroner’s report," O’Donaghey said in an interview, however another source said police said Verna shot Ansell then himself.

Sources say Ansell and the former boyfriend appeared to be in a downward spiral before her death and they were no strangers to violence. The sources suggested police know or ought to have known about links to violent home invasions in the area including a targeted home invasion but to a wrong address that left an innocent middle-aged man in a coma and his wife severely injured.

Verna is the nephew of Carlo Verna, a former Hells Angel, but sources believe that is irrelevant information.

Police never actually said it was a murder-suicide. This morning's release said an autopsy was conducted and police were releasing more information.

“The autopsy findings have confirmed this tragic event as an isolated incident,” O’Donaghey said. “Our investigation has revealed no indication of any third party person involved. Both deceased knew each other and were believed to be involved in a relationship. The RCMP is also confirming that the weapon recovered from the scene was in fact a firearm."

The B.C. Coroner's Service confirmed this morning it's involved in the investigation.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.