Police are investigating a suspicious death east of Hope.
They identified the victim as Michael Walter Bonin, 20, of Prince George.
At about 7:30 a.m., Hope RCMP and Chilliwack RCMP Serious Crime Section officers responded to a report of a body found on Peers Creek Forest Service Road, according to an RCMP press release and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). They add that upon attendance, they located the body of a deceased individual. An IHIT press release said it was deemed it a homicide.
“From the evidence gathered so far, the homicide appears to be targeted,” said an IHIT press release. “It remains early in the investigation, and police are working to establish what occurred leading up to the homicide. It is unknown if the location where Mr. Bonin’s body was located was where the murder occurred.”
IHIT will be working with the RCMP’s Upper Fraser Valley Regional District Detachment, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section, and the BC Coroner’s Service, added the press release. They cordoned off the scene yesterday, but have cleared it up, according to IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Meghan Foster.
“We’re gathering evidence and when we get to the process of reviewing it, whatever comes out of that review will dictate our next steps,” said Foster. “So it’s too early to say which way we would be pursuing any kind of investigation at this point.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT tip information line at 1-877-551-4448 (IHIT) or email ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
