Victim in possible murder still not positively identified

RCMP say investigators are still trying to positively identify the person found dead following an explosion and house fire in Kelowna.

The blast and blaze at about 7 a.m. Saturday destroyed a Stockwell Avenue house. The next day, police said a body was discovered in the ruins.

READ MORE: Cops familiar with Kelowna home that blew-up

Although RCMP had two officers guarding the house around-the-clock until Thursday, when they were replaced by private security guards, police are not calling the person’s death a homicide.

“Our Serious Crimes investigators continue to work alongside the BC Coroners Service,” says spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “The investigation into the individual’s death remains very active at this time. A positive identification of the deceased individual has not yet been made, therefore investigators are not in a position to classify their death.”

An autopsy has been conducted. O’Donaghey says official results are pending and he can’t say if the deceased is male or female.

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On Friday, a fire investigator hired by an insurance company was sifting through the charred rubble of the house trying to determine the cause of the explosion.

Neighbours say two men lived in the rental home.