Surrey police say a body has been found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street early Friday morning (May 21). (Photo: Lauren Collins)

UPDATE: Man arrested after burned human remains found on Surrey roadside

Police say while death doesn't appear to be random, it's not thought to be gang related

  • May. 21, 2021 12:00 a.m.

A man has been arrested after a burned body was found on a Surrey roadside, police say.

Surrey RCMP say they were called about a fire in a ditch on 48th Avenue near 168th Street just before 4:30 a.m. on Friday (May 21), according to a release from Surrey RCMP Sergeant Elenore Sturko.

Sturko said officers found “human remains” after the Surrey Fire Service put out the fire.

A man was arrested for murder at a home in Newton at about 5 a.m., she added.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called to the scene.

Photos taken from a news helicopter show a white blanket covering what appears to be a body just off the side of 48th Avenue in the grass, near the Nicomekl River.

It’s not known if the victim died there or was brought there after.

“That’s something for the investigators to sort out at this point in time,” said Surrey RCMP Corporal Vanessa Munn. “They will be holding the scene there, at the location of the fire.”

Sturko said while the murder “does not appear to be a random act,” police don’t believe it is connected to gang activity.

She added the area surrounding the scene will be cordoned off for a “significant amount of time.”

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area, as 48th Avenue is closed to traffic. 168th Street remains open in both ways.

This is Surrey’s seventh homicide this year.

Anyone with information can call the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

– With files by Tom Zytaruk and Lauren Collins


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Surrey police say a body has been found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street early Friday morning (May 21. (Google map screen shot)

Surrey police say a body has been found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street early Friday morning (May 21). (Photos: Lauren Collins)

Police say one person is in custody after burned human remains were found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street, next to the Nikomekl River. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Police say one person is in custody after burned human remains were found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street, next to the Nikomekl River. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Police say one person is in custody after burned human remains were found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street, next to the Nikomekl River. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Police say one person is in custody after burned human remains were found in the area of 48th Avenue and 168th Street, next to the Nikomekl River. (Photo: Lauren Collins)