Greater Trail RCMP confirmed that an unidentified body was found in the trunk of a burnt out car near Genelle.
The Honda Civic was left abandoned and set ablaze on the southbound shoulder of Highway 22 on the weekend, and the deceased was discovered Sunday night.
Police are treating the death as “suspicious.”
Given the circumstances, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit has taken carriage of the investigation.
The RCMP release, issued late Tuesday, leaves more questions than answers at this time.
Investigators are releasing few details other than the make and model of car, which is described as a 1999 Honda Civic four-door sedan, grey in colour.
There is no public alert at this point, however, police are asking anyone with information to step forward.
“With respect to public safety, you will note that we have not issued a notice to the public with respect to safety concerns,” Southeast District NCO Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said Wednesday morning.
“That being said though, the investigation is just in the preliminary stages, we are at the beginning of the steps here,” Moskaluk continued. “But we don’t have any indications from the onset that would prompt us to make such an advisory to the public.”
Shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue responded to the report of a vehicle fire 11 kilometres north of Trail, which is just outside the Genelle Flats on Highway 22.
B.C. RCMP investigators also attended the scene.
The discovery shut down the highway until early morning hours, though traffic was single-lane only until approximately 5 p.m. Monday to permit investigators to process the scene.
Moskaluk declined to say where the vehicle was taken for further forensics, but added, “it would have been the RCMP forensics unit that would have taken charge of it, again under the continuity of the seizures made by Southeast District crime unit.”
Additionally, there was no information released on the identity or gender of the deceased by press time Wednesday.
Greater Trail RCMP and the Southeast District RCMP are continuing their investigation into the suspicious death.
Police are seeking the public’s assistance with this investigation. In particular, police seek to speak with anyone who was in this area during the weekend of Jan. 13 and Jan. 14.
“The big thing is information,” Moskaluk said. “If you have any information don’t assume anyone else has reported it.”
Members of the public are asked to call the Greater Trail detachment at 250.364.2566.
Anyone wishing to provide information can also do so anonymously by calling Crimestoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or by leaving a tip at www.bccrimestoppers.com.
