The RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit has identified a body found in a deadly motel fire in Bashaw, Alta. earlier this month as a member of the family who owns the motel.
On Friday evening, Mounties said DNA testing following an autopsy performed in Calgary showed the human remains were those of 54-year-old Barinder Singh Tiwana.
While police said on Friday the scene of the fire was no longer being secured but acknowledged “the police work is far from over.” An investigation into what caused the fire and what, if any, motivation was behind it is ongoing.
READ MORE: Body found in Bashaw motel fire; RCMP treating fire as crime scene
On Oct. 9, a fire ripped through the Bashaw Motor Inn and destroyed the motel. A body was found in the debris and three people were rushed to hospital.
Days later, police said racist graffiti was discovered at the scene of the fire although they could not say whether the graffiti was linked to the fire in any way.
READ MORE: RCMP say racist graffiti found at Bashaw motel destroyed by fire
Watch below: RCMP in Bashaw continue to investigate the weekend motel fire. Graffiti found at the scene is also part of their investigation. Kendra Slugoski filed this report on Oct. 12, 2016.
Soon after the fire, the town’s mayor identified the owners of the motel as the Tiwana family and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
Barinder Singh Tiwana was a father of two sons.
Bashaw is about 136 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.