A body found in a North Vancouver creek on the weekend has been identified by homicide investigators.
The Lower Mainland's Integrated Homicide Team (IHIT) issued a statement Monday saying that the body was that of 34-year-old Jastinder Athwal.
Athwal had been reported missing earlier this month, and had not been seen by friends or family since May 19.
IHIT said that Athwal's cause of death is unknown, and is being treated as suspicious.
"The potential of a homicide cannot be ruled out at this time," the IHIT statement said. An autopsy is required to determine the cause of death, and whether foul play is a factor.
Athwal's body was found on Sunday morning, by a man walking his dog in the area. The man spotted the body in the shallow waters of Lynn Creek under the train bridge near Main Street around 9 a.m.
“There’s reason to think it’s a suspicious scene,” said Sgt. Doug Trousdell of the North Vancouver RCMP.
“We’ve got investigators from North Vancouver detachment down there on the scene, and we’re also consulting with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.”
The fire department was also called in to help recover the body.
IHIT asks anyone with more information, or who saw Athwal between May 19 and 29, to contact them at 1-877-551-4448 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
