Police say persons of interest identified in two-year-old homicide in Malahat area

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WATCH: It has been just over two years since a 72-year-old Victoria man was found dead near the Malahat summit. Police consider his death a homicide but they still don’t know who is responsible. Calvin To has more.

The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit say they have identified more than one person of interest in the two-year-old homicide case in the Malahat area.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) asked for the public’s help in trying to solve the case.

WATCH: Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit Insp. David Hall gives an update into the investigation into the homicide of Richard “Blair” Young

VicPD and VIIMCU Media Availability on Richard Young Homicide Case

VicPD and VIIMCU Media Availability on Richard Young Homicide Case

Duration 16m

The remains of Richard “Blair” Young of Victoria were found near a rest stop along the Malahat Drive section of Highway 1 on March 2, 2017. Young went missing from his apartment in Victoria on Feb. 8, 2017, and was reported missing on Feb. 14, 2017. Police have not released the location of the apartment building.

Due to the suspicious nature of Young’s disappearance, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) took the lead in the investigation and concluded Young’s death was a homicide.

Richard Blair Young, 72, was found dead near a Malahat rest stop in March 2017.

Richard Blair Young, 72, was found dead near a Malahat rest stop in March 2017.

“Blair was a 72-year-old gentleman, a father and stepfather who made efforts to provide help and assistance to his loved ones,” Hall said.

“He maintained daily contact with his family members checking on his well-being and he is missed.”

Hall said Young was not known to police and they do not believe he was involved in criminal activity.

“Based on the investigative theory at this time, we don’t believe this was a purely random act,” Hall added during the media availability.

Investigators have video footage of Young leaving his apartment building on Feb. 8, 2017. Hall said at the time, it was below 0 C and there was heavy snow in Victoria. In the video, Young is seen wearing a light jacket.

“This leads investigators to believe that he did not expect to be spending time outdoors and he did not expect to be gone long,” Hall said.

VIIMCU has released the video to see if the public has any information on Young’s movements, plans and associates leading up to his disappearance.

WATCH: VIIMCU has released this surveillance video Richard “Blair” Young leaving his apartment building on Feb. 8, 2017. This video does not have sound.

WEB VICPD RICHARD YOUNG SURVEILLANCE VIDEO

WEB VICPD RICHARD YOUNG SURVEILLANCE VIDEO

Duration 20s

Hall said they have identified a number of people of interest in the course of the investigation. They also discovered Young’s credit cards and his bank were charged more than $30,000 in fraudulent transactions on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

“The investigation has identified suspects in this investigation and we believe there are people who are close to the person or persons responsible for the homicide who have knowledge of what happened to Blair and we’re asking for those people to come forward,” Hall said.

Police would not comment on the evidence that led them to determine Young’s death was a homicide or release further details about the persons of interest.

“The fact that he’s reported missing and we’re able to track approximately $30,000 worth of fraudulent use of his credit cards, that’s one factor in many that has led us to believe this is a homicide,” Hall said.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on Blair’s death is asked to call the VIIMCU information line at 250-380-6211.

“The simple reality about murder investigations is that they can take years and we’re here today because we need the public’s help,” Hall said. He also said there are no public safety concerns.

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