Suspicious death: Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit deployed to Ladysmith

Ladysmith, Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit

2023-03-10 13:51 PST

File # 2023-738 VIIMCU file 2023-5076

Police are investigating after a body was discovered on the shore of Davis Lagoon near Chemainus Rd in Ladysmith.

On March 8, 2023, at approximately 1:10 p.m., Ladysmith RCMP responded to the area of Lagoon Rd near Chemainus Rd after a witness observed what appeared to be a body on the shore. Upon attendance, police confirmed the discovery of a deceased individual. Initial evidence gathered at the scene let officers to believe that the body may have been there for several days and the death appeared suspicious.

Assisted by the Vancouver Island Forensic Identification Services, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) assumed conduct of the investigation.

Concurrently, investigators are looking into the circumstances of a black Toyota Rav4 which was located in the lagoon on March 6.

Stock photo of 2011 Toyota Rav4

It is too early at this stage of the investigation to determine the leading cause of the individual’s death, said Corporal Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the RCMP in British Columbia. We are looking for anyone with video surveillance or dash cam footage from anyone who lives in the Davis Lagoon area from 11:00 p.m. on March 5 to 12:00 p.m. on March 6. We are also looking to speak with anyone with dash cam footage who may have been travelling on the Trans-Canada Hwy during this time passing through Ladysmith and Chemainus.

There is no further information available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding the circumstances around this incident, including information about the black Toyota Rav4 is asked to contact the VIIMCU information line at 250-380-6211.
 

Released by

Cpl. Alex Bérubé

Email: alex.berube@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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