The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation into the suspicious death in Oak Bay on Wednesday.
A stretch of Beach Drive in Oak Bay was fully closed to traffic Wednesday after a man’s body was discovered in the 200 block, according to police.
Just before noon, Oak Bay Police said the closure was in effect between Monterey Avenue and King George Terrace, and that its officers and Saanich major crime officers were on scene investigating.
Just after 8 p.m., Oak Bay Police tweeted that the road had reopened.
Oak Bay Police Chief Mark Fisher says the death is considered suspicious. He says two people walking in the area around 8 a.m. found the body of an adult male and alerted police.
“Our officers attended and determined there was a deceased male in the bushes there. We called for assistance from the detective unit at Saanich, and the detective unit and forensic officers attended,” said Fisher at a press conference Wednesday.
In a release, Saanich Police say the identity of the man is not being released at this time.
“While no arrests have been made, this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no perceived risk to the public,” Saanich Police say in a release.
Jim Nicholl lives in the area and tells CHEK News he saw emergency crews arrive on scene.
“As the morning unfolded, more and more resources came. More and more people that looked like they were detectives or major crime people,” said Nicholl.
He’s lived there for 35 years and says he’s never witnessed this much police presence in his neighbourhood before.
“It’s very unusual to have any kind of activity here,” added Nicholl. “And to have this extent, we knew there was something fairly serious going on.”
A CHEK News reporter captured a photo of the area cordoned off with police tape. The BC Coroners Service was also on scene, and police said the body was moved to a tent.
A closure to all traffic is in effect on Beach Drive between Monterey Ave and King George Terrace. Oak Bay Police & Saanich Major Crime Officers are on scene investigating the discovery of a body in the 200 block of Beach Dr. Road closure will be in effect for several hours.
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) July 26, 2023
Beach Drive between King George Terrace and Monterey Avenue has been re-opened. OBPD thanks everyone for their patience and understanding today during the closure to allow investigators to complete their scene examination.
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) July 27, 2023
Ethan Morneau
