Two dead after RCMP called to ‘serious incident’ on Salt Spring Island

RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are currently investigating after a man was found dead and a woman later succumbed to serious injuries on Salt Spring Island.

According to Cpl. Chris Manseau, police crews responded to a call on June 1, just before 5 p.m. that is being described by authorities as a “serious incident.”

The incident took place at a residential property on Fulford-Ganges Road. According to police, when officers arrived on the scene, they found a 48-year old man dead. In addition, a 41-year old woman was suffering from serious injuries that she later succumbed to, said police.

The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken over the crime scene, however, Manseau said that no one else was injured and crews are not looking for other suspects.

Manseau added, “The public is not in any danger at this time.”

The BC Coroners Service is also conducting an investigation to determine how, where, when and by what means the two individuals came to their unexpected deaths.

Flowers placed outside of a home on Fulford-Ganges Road on  Salt Spring Island. (Skye Ryan)

A bouquet of flowers has been placed outside the home and some Salt Spring residents have started to express messages of grief on social media, calling the situation “tragic.”

Neighbours have told CHEK News that it was a couple that lived at the residence. One neighbour said he said gunshots from the rural property Monday evening.

Police have not released the identities of the man and woman, but friends and family have told CHEK the couple was John and Jennifer Quesnel, both well-loved and known throughout Salt Spring.

The couple’s lifelong friend said he “collapsed” when he heard the news.

I collapsed. I think a lot of people did when they heard because he was that kind of person. He and his wife were just so well known in the community,” Hermann said.

John and Jennifer had three children together. RCMP say no children were at the scene during the incident.

Jennifer is described by friends as an avid equestrian who rescued animals. John is described as a businessman who ran Salt Spring Metal recycling.

According to friends, John was in and out of court over zoning issues with the business. Friends also said the COVID-19 pandemic hit John hard and there were relationship problems.

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