Police have confirmed a person found with severe burns in Vernon Friday morning has died from their injuries.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP found the person in the 3000 block of 27th Street around 6:30 a.m. June 23.
The person was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries and died later that day, the RCMP said Tuesday, June 27.
The Serious Crimes Unit is continuing to investigate the person’s death.
“We want to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victim,” said Const. Chris Terleski, media relations officer. “Although a full determination surrounding criminality has not yet been made, the circumstances leading up to the person’s death are being considered suspicious in nature at this time.”
Terleski said early indications are that this is an isolated incident and not a random attack, and there is no risk to the public that police are aware of.
On Friday police said they believed the person sustained their injuries in Justice Park on 28th Street across from the Vernon courthouse. Police are now asking the public for help in advancing the investigation and believe there is a “strong possibility” that a vehicle travelling through the area may have captured activity at the scene of the incident.
“We are asking motorists who were driving in the area of Justice Park between 6 a.m., and 6:40 a.m., on Friday, June 23, to check for dash cam footage and contact police if you have it,” said Terleski.
Anyone with information can call 250-545-7171 and quote file number 2023-10559.
Police are not releasing the victim’s identity out of respect for the family’s privacy.
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