Body found in burned vehicle in Maple Ridge, homicide investigators called
Homicide investigators have been called after a body was found in a burned vehicle in Maple Ridge Thursday night.
Ridge Meadows RCMP said in a news release Friday that they were called to the 14300 block of 256th Street around 11:15 p.m. for "a report of a vehicle fully engulfed."
After the Maple Ridge Fire Department had extinguished the blaze, police searched the vehicle and located a body.
Police towed a vehicle covered by a tarp late Friday afternoon. Burn marks could be seen on the ground along the remote gravel road where the vehicle was found.
Police described the discovery as a "suspicious death."
"It is still in the early stages of the investigation and the Ridge Meadows RCMP will be working with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT)," Mounties said in their release.
"It is unknown at this time if this is related to the Lower Mainland gang conflict."
Earlier this week, two men were fatally gunned down in Coquitlam. Police have said one of the victims, Ramin Salam, was allegedly associated with gang members. RCMP said a third victim, who survived, appears to have gang ties as well. In the last update from RCMP, police were still working to identify the second man who died.
There has been a string of violent and alarming incidents in the Lower Mainland during the past week, including a violent armed robbery that led to a shootout with police in Port Coquitlam on Tuesday. There was also a recent series of shootings and a kidnapping in the Interior city of Merritt.
The area where the vehicle fire occurred is near the north end of 256th Street, not far from the southern boundary of Golden Ears Provincial Park and about two kilometres south of Alouette Lake, according to Google Maps.
Anyone who has dash cam video recorded in Maple Ridge between the hours of 10 p.m. and midnight should contact the IHIT information line at 877-551-4448, police said. Witnesses can also contact IHIT by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.