Vernon RCMP investigating two suspicious deaths a week and a half apart – Okanagan
RCMP in Vernon, B.C., are investigating two deaths that have occurred in the area in recent weeks.
Novelyn Yangat is staying with a relative on 32nd Street in Vernon.
Last Thursday morning, she was surprised to see a large number of police officers and yellow tape surrounding a nearby house. She was even more shocked to learn that the officers discovered a dead body inside.
“Did anyone die in there?” Yangat asked Global News Monday morning. “We didn’t know.”
RCMP were called to a disturbance at the home across from the Vernon Jubilee Hospital around 3 a.m. on August 8.
Police said they found a body inside. The death is now being investigated as a homicide.
“Three individuals present at that location were taken into custody,” said Constable Chris Terleski of the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP. “They were later released and two of them are expected to appear in court at a later date.”
Terleski confirmed that no charges have been filed at this stage.
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Terleski didn’t say much else about the fatal incident, including why the two people will appear in court or anything about the victim.
However, he said there was no risk to public safety.
“We believe this incident was targeted. It was a targeted incident,” Terleski said. “There was no risk to the public.”
Just a week and a half earlier, on July 29, a woman was found dead in Polson Park.
His body was found in a grey plastic trolley near the tennis courts.
Police have identified the victim as Christina Louise Mackenzie, 40, of Vernon. They are hoping someone can come forward with information about Mackenzie’s whereabouts or activities in the two days leading up to her death.
“We are looking for any information from the public that could help us,” Terleski said. “We have received information from the public and we are acting on it.”
It is not known whether the woman died in the park or elsewhere, but police believe there is no risk to the public.
“The investigation will determine whether this incident was coincidental or whether it was a special circumstance,” Terleski said. “At this time, we have no information that would lead us to believe there is a direct threat to the public.”
However, frequent users of the park have expressed concern.
“It’s scary,” said Ashley Philpott, a park user. “It’s really disconcerting.”
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