POLICE – Identify of homicide victim found in parking lot released

The identity of a body found in the parking lot of St. Joseph’s cemetery last weekend has been identified as 18-year-old Jagra Dhinsa and police say his death was a homicide.

Police said today (Feb. 3, 2022) the B.C. Coroners Service and investigators have confirmed the identity.

On Jan. 29, 2022, at around 8 a.m., police received a request to assist ambulance in the parking lot.

The cause of his death will not be released to protect the integrity of the investigation, RCMP said.

“Police are revealing Jagraj Dhinsa’s name to further the developing investigation,” said Inspector Brent Novakoski, Southeast District Senior Investigating Officer of the B.C. RCMP Major Crime Section.

“We are asking anyone who had contact with Mr. Dhinsa on Jan. 28 or 29, or who has information that may help investigators in determining Mr. Dhinsa’s activities and whereabouts leading up to his death, to please contact police as soon as possible.”

Evidence found near Mr. Dhinsa’s body linked him to a black 2014 Honda Accord located on Dallas Drive at Lafarge Road in Kamloops.

“In investigations like this, early tips and information from the public can be crucial,” added Insp. Novakoski.

“We are reaching out to the public and asking them to please provide us with any video surveillance, cellphone or dash-cam footage in the Chilcotin Road area to Lafarge Road at Dallas Drive in Kamloops from the afternoon of Jan. 28 until the morning of Jan. 29.”

Since the discovery of Dhinsa’s death, numerous police officers have been working to collect evidence related to this investigation, including members of the SED MCU, “E” Division Serious Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Service, Police Dog Service, Kamloops Detachment Serious Crime Unit and General Investigation Services Team, and Tk’emlúps Rural Detachment members. The Coroner’s Service is conducting a concurrent investigation.

Supports and services are available for those impacted by loss at BC Bereavement Helpline and BC Victims of Homicide, 1-877-779-2223, or by visiting https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/after-death/get-support.

“Our members were distressed with the major incident on our Indian Reserve and we appreciate the collaborative efforts to ensure that there was no immediate threat to those residing in the areas,” said Tk’emlúps  te Secwepemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir.

“Our condolences are with the family impacted by this tragic loss and our hope is that they get the answers they seek to honour his life.”

Anyone with information or surveillance that may be related to this investigation is asked to please call the SED MCU information line at 1-877-987-8477.