RCMP serious crime unit searches for suspect in Kelowna ‘suspicious death’

The Kelowna RCMP serious crime unit has released two photos of a man it alleges is a suspect in a suspicious death investigation.

According to police, Lorence Williams, 41, may be dangerous.

“We’re uncertain at this point whether he’s armed but we do believe that there’s a potential danger to the public,” said Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy.

Kelowna RCMP said Mounties were called to a home in the 3,400 block of Sexsmith Road near Reid’s Corner on May 30 just after 10 p.m., after receiving a report of a deceased male.

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When officers arrived, they did locate a man who had died under suspicious circumstances.

At the neighbouring home, a woman told Global News that the man who died was roughly in his 60’s and lived at the residence.

Police have not revealed how the victim died or his identity.

“At this point none of those details are being released. This is still very early times in this investigation and it is only as a matter of public safety that we released the name of the suspect,” Noseworthy said. “Normally we do take a bit more time to be able to release more information but currently, simply because we believe that he may be a danger to the public, we’re releasing that information in the hopes that somebody can help us find him.”

According to police, the victim and Williams did have some sort of connection.

“They were known to each other but the exact nature of this incident is something that is still under investigation,” Noseworthy said.

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On Monday, the house on Sexsmith was behind police tape and one of the numerous vehicles in the driveway had a smashed front windshield with a rock on its hood.

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The woman next door told Global News the vehicle’s windshield was not smashed prior to the deadly incident.

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Police said they believe that Williams may still in the Kelowna area.

They are appealing to the public for help to track him down as well as making an appeal to Williams himself.

“If Lorence sees or hears this, we ask him to contact the police of jurisdiction immediately,” Noseworthy said.

Should you encounter Williams, or have information regarding his whereabouts, police say you should not approach him but instead call 911.