A body was discovered by a young boy Sunday afternoon in Colquitz River Park, just behind Montana’s Cookhouse near the Tillicum Centre in Saanich.
Saanich police responded after receiving a call about 2:15 p.m. from the boy’s father. The two had been walking together. Police arrived on the scene five minutes later.
“Our initial responding officer felt immediately that it was suspicious in nature and very obviously deceased,” Sgt. Dean Jantzen said at he scene.
Details such as the age, gender and condition of the body were not given.
The deceased has been there for some time but precisely how long is unknown, said Jantzen.
Jantzen issued a release Sunday night in which he said:
“The investigation is continuing at the scene and officers will be there through the night. Involved in the investigation are the Saanich Police detectives of the Major Crime Unit, forensic technicians, patrol division and canine officers.
“Colquitz park has been closed at this time to facilitate the investigation. It is likely that this closure will continue well into [Monday]. The public’s co-operation in staying away from the park is requested.”
The coroners service was to arrive on the scene Sunday evening or Monday.
The body was in dense shrubs off the path, Jantzen said at the scene.
The park is known for such activities as illicit drinking of alcohol, “but nothing serious like this,” he said.
No related incidents have happened in the area, Jantzen said.
The boy who found the body was described by Jantzen as 10 or 11.
His release said: “If anybody has any information about this incident or witnessed anything suspicious in the Colquitz park in the past days, they are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Major Crime tip line at 250-475-4356.”
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