B.C. RCMP say the suspect in a double homicide in Creston, B.C. has been found dead in the Kootenay community of Salmo.
Police found the man deceased near a motel, and say “criminality is not suspected” in his death.
Police had launched a manhunt across the southeastern corner of the province, after two people were found two people with critical stab wounds Wednesday night.
RCMP and BC Ambulance were called just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday to the Highway 3 pullout near the Summit Creek Bridge outside Creston.
They arrived to find a 40-year-old Calgary man who was badly injured but still alive. He succumbed to his injuries despite medical aid.
A second victim, a 25-year-old woman from the West Kootenay region, was also suffering serious injuries. She was rushed to hospital but was also later pronounced dead.
Both victims had been stabbed by a suspect who reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle associated with one of the victims, police said.
Investigators said they later found the vehicle near Salmo, just west of Creston.
“We can appreciate this is not the outcome the victims’ families may have hoped for, but we hope this news brings them comfort in their grief,” Staff Sgt. Scott Ashenbrenner said in a media release.
The RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit was deployed from Kelowna.
Officers believe the suspect and the victims knew each other.
This investigation is in its infancy, as major crime investigators and forensic specialists deploy to the area to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence,
Staff Sgt. Scott Aschenbrenner said in a release.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Creston RCMP at 250-428-9313 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Correction: A previous version of this story said the suspect was found in a motel room. In fact, police say he was found near a motel. Global News regrets the error.