RCMP are investigating following the discovery of a body in a water-filled ditch Saturday afternoon in South Surrey.
According to police, pedestrians made the find in the 3600-block of Pacific Highway (176 Street) around 2:50 p.m. Nov. 26.
The body appeared to have been in the water “for some time,” a news release states.
As of Tuesday morning, the cause of death had not been determined, the deceased had not been identified and the case had not been linked to any ongoing investigations.
Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann told Peace Arch News that no evidence pointing to foul play had been found, however, “we can’t rule it out at this point.”
Investigators will know more once the cause of death is determined, he said.
“We’ll have to wait for the autopsy.”
Schumann referred questions regarding the autopsy timeline to the BC Coroners Service, however, spokesperson Barb McLintock would not comment.
“On privacy grounds, that’s not something we discuss publicly in any circumstances,” McLintock said by email.
Schumann said missing-persons reports would likely be examined during attempts to identify the deceased.
Officers with Surrey RCMP’s major crime unit, along with forensic and collision-reconstruction teams were at the scene Saturday, and 176 Street was closed to northbound traffic at 32 Avenue for several hours.
Anyone with information that could help police is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or solvecrime.ca