Burned remains of two individuals were found on the road to a shooting range off Highway 97 near Penticton.
Summerland fire crews discovered the bodies after being called out to a blaze near the local shooting range on Thursday morning (Sept. 15).
The Summerland Fire Department notified police about the discovery.
Investigators have determined that the deaths are suspicious.
“This investigation is in its infancy, as major crime investigators and forensic specialists deploy to the area to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence,” said Chris Manseau from the BC RCMP. “Investigators are currently making attempts at identifying the deceased individuals. No further details regarding their identity will be divulged, pending their identification and identifying their next of kin.”
A heavy police presence was spotted at the scene on Thursday morning, with RCMP blocking off access to the shooting range off Highway 97 since then. Police had remained quiet tight-lipped about the crime scene until Saturday.
The BC RCMP Serious Crime Unit has since been deployed to the area and has taken over the investigation.
A vehicle was later reported to be on fire in Oliver. Investigators are working to determine whether this incident is related to the one near Penticton.
In August, two bodies were discovered in a burned car on Garnet Valley Road in Summerland. RCMP have never identified who those victims were. However, the alleged suspects in that case were killed in a crash while fleeing from police in Abbotsford.
READ MORE: 2 dead in Abbotsford crash connected to Summerland bodies in burned car: RCMP
Anyone with information about either of the incidents is urged to call 1-877-987-8477.
READ MORE: Police shut down road to Penticton shooting range