Police have confirmed that a 21-year-old man died Friday evening at the Pemberton Music Festival campgrounds in what homicide investigators are calling a suspicious death.
On Saturday the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team identified the deceased as Nick Phongsavath from Regina.
In a release IHIT confirmed that Phongsavath was found dead inside his tent just after 6 p.m. Police and ambulance personnel tried unsuccessfully to revive the man. According to investigators there were indications of foul play and IHIT was called.
Festival attendee Brendan Matthews witnessed the commotion around the crime scene.
“Right away there was a number of security and then police that showed up, and they started pushing people back right away, and asking you to get out of the area, they wouldn't tell you what was going on,” he told CTV News. “They had fencing that they were rushing in to set up a perimeter, police tape. And it was apparent right away that there was something fairly major that was happening.”
IHIT and forensic services worked at the scene through Friday night and Saturday and investigators said the area will likely be open Saturday evening.
“IHIT is working closely with the Sea-to-Sky Detachment and have been interviewing witnesses and speaking with event attendees throughout the night. At this point, there is nothing to confirm or definitively rule out foul play,” Sgt. Jennifer Pound said in a release.
Investigators said that an autopsy will be needed to determine the cause of death.
IHIT also asked people at the festival to contact their families to let them know they're okay.
“It is estimated that there are close to 20,000 participants attending this music festival, creating a very dynamic environment for investigators. Whistler-Pemberton RCMP as well as HUKA event organizers have been extremely helpful in assisting IHIT with this investigation,” Sgt. Pound said.
According to Sgt. Rob Knapton of Whistler-Pemberton RCMP, policing operations have not changed.
“Whistler-Pemberton detachment is continuing to police the festival in accordance with the operational plan,” Knapton said in a release.“Despite this one incident there has been minimal issues requiring police involvement.”
Knapton said police involvement at the event has been “reasonably low”. Seven arrests for public intoxication and causing a disturbance have been made inside the festival area since Wednesday.
It is the first time since 2008 that Pemberton has hosted the series of concerts with performers including Nine Inch Nails, Outkast, Blondie and Kendrick Lamar. The music and comedy festival began Wednesday and is scheduled to continue through Sunday.
With files from CTV Vancouver’s Alex Turner
