(UPDATE: March 21 @ 5:20 pm) - An investigation into a suspicious death in Kamloops has taken another interesting turn.
The RCMP announced today that Kamloops lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo has been charged in connection to the death, but he it is not a murder or manslaughter charge.
The 54-year-old has been charged with improperly or indecently interfering with, or offering an indignity to, a dead human body or human remains.
While the charges against Bagabuyo stem from what happened to the body, there have been no arrests in connection to the unidentified person's death.
The Kamloops RCMP continues to try and gather information around a van that investigators released information about on Sunday.
“This investigation is still ongoing and we continue to ask for the public’s assistance in helping us establish the movements of a van in connection to it,” said Cst. Crystal Evelyn.
The van is described as a 2020 GMC rental van with the license plate number PJ 9131. It also has company markings and logos on the side.
Police are seeking information on the van's travel last week in Kamloops and surrounding areas like Barriere, Clearwater, Valemount, Savona and Cache Creek.
"Anyone who thinks they saw the van, or has dash cam or surveillance footage capturing it, is asked to please contact police as soon as possible," an RCMP release explained.
The investigation into this suspicious death began after RCMP officers were called out to the 1600 block of Monterey Place around 10 pm on March 17 where they found the dead body inside a vehicle.
Police have not revealed whether it was the van that the body was found inside and are currently awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the deceased's identity.
No further information is available at this time.
(UPDATE: Mar. 20 @ 3 pm) – The Kamloops RCMP Serious Crime Unit has released an image of a van as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspicious death that happened on Thursday.
The RCMP are also looking for witnesses who may have additional information.
"We are asking the public for assistance in helping us establish the vehicle's movements during this past week," said Todd Wiebe, staff Sergeant of the Kamloops RCMP Serious Crime Unit.
"Please have a look at the van and its license plate. If you think you saw it or if you have dash cam or surveillance footage capturing it, please contact police as soon as possible."
The van is described as a 2020 GMC rental van with the license plate number PJ 9131. It also has company markings and logos on the side.
Police are looking for information on the van’s travel in Kamloops and surrounding areas including Barriere, Clearwater, Valemount, Savona and Cache Creek.
The investigation is ongoing and police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the victim’s identity and cause of death.
More information will be released when it becomes available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000 and reference file 2022-8565.
(Original Story: Mar. 18 @ 3:30 pm) – Police are treating the death of a person whose body was found inside a vehicle in Kamloops as suspicious.
Officers were called out to the 1600 block of Monterey Place around 10 pm on Thursday.
Upon arrival, they found the body inside a parked vehicle.
“Police are waiting on the results of an autopsy to confirm the victim’s identity,” said Staff Sgt. Todd Wiebe.
“More information will be released to help further the investigation as it becomes available.”
The serious crime unit, general investigation service team, forensic identification service, police dog service and frontline officers are all actively assisting the investigation at this time.
The BC Coroners Service is also conducting its own independent investigation into the person’s death.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.
