The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crimes Unit has been deployed to Ladysmith after a body was discovered at Davis Lagoon earlier this week.
A passerby noticed what appeared to be a body on the shore of Davis Lagoon in Ladysmith and phoned police just after 1 p.m., Wednesday. When investigators arrived, initial evidence led them to believe that several days had already passed since the person’s death and they deemed it suspicious.
It is too early at this stage of the investigation to determine the leading cause of the individual’s death,
said Cpl. Alex Bérubé with the RCMP.
Earlier this week, a black Toyota Rav4 was located in the lagoon as well. It isn’t clear if the two incidents are related, and authorities remain tight-lipped as the investigation unfolds.
A stock photo of 2011 Toyota Rav4, similar to the one found in the lagoon. (Courtesy RCMP)
A neighbour told CHEK News what he thought was flotsam out on the water turned out to be something more.
“That flotsam became the centre of attention on Wednesday as I observed three men (two being in RCMP uniform) wading in water up to their knees,” he writes, adding that it was a large object bundled with rope and a blue tarp.
Police are asking anyone that may have dash cam video to come forward.
If you were travelling through either Chemainus or Ladysmith, you may possess footage that could help authorities in their investigation.
Authorities believe that footage from 11 p.m. March 5 to 12 p.m. March 6 may contain key information in this case.
Police cordon off the lagoon, Wednesday. (Submitted photo)
RELATED: RCMP charge man who hailed cab to flee after allegedly breaking into vehicles
Roger Collins
Oli Herrera
