Police seek public help in rural Surrey homicide investigation

Police are seeking witnesses to help investigate a homicide on a rural Surrey road. Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesperson Sgt. Freda Fong said Oct. 15 that shortly after 1 p.m. on Oct. 14, a caller alerted police to what is believed to be a man's body in rural Fleetwood, near a pull-off beside a farmer's field in the 6100-block of 156 Street. Police suspect criminality, and investigators are working to identify the deceased.

Fong said the deceased is believed to be a man, but exposure to the elements has prevented police from positively confirming the identity. The person's age and ethnicity are also unknown. Fong said investigators hope releasing the person's name once confirmed will help advance the case and that they will keep the public updated. Forensic investigators are expected to remain at the scene for some time.

IHIT is particularly interested in events between Oct. 8 and 14 and is asking anyone who was in the area during that period to share dash-cam footage. Police are conducting an extensive canvass. Fong said the area is not very busy, but investigators believe witnesses may have seen suspicious activity, including vehicles or people who do not belong in the neighbourhood. Police are focused on establishing a timeline and have not said whether they have suspects.

Fong declined to say whether the body had been burned. She said she could not confirm the body's condition or whether anything had happened to it, to protect the integrity of the investigation. She said it is too early to determine a motive, whether the body was brought to the site, or whether the crime took place there.

Anyone with information, CCTV footage or dash-camera footage is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.