The small southern Okanagan community of Naramata is still reeling after two bodies were found by hikers on a forest service road on Monday.
“I was worried it was someone local. It’s frightening. We don’t get murders in Naramata,” said Martine Boutilier, a Naramata resident.
The sense of unease and anxiety is amplified by the fact that despite a massive police search, no one has been connected to the deaths.
“We were pretty shocked, it’s a small community. We moved up from the lower mainland, where we were used to that type of news, but to be here and have that happen in your backyard was a bit unnerving,” said Simone VanderRoest, a Naramata Resident.
Neighbours who witnessed a large ground and aerial police pursuit on Monday are questioning why the public was left in the dark about a double targeted killing and the hunt for potential suspects for more than 28 hours.
The bodies have been identified by a family member as Carlo Fryer, 31, and Erick Fryer, 29.