POLICE – Second bone found on trail turns out not to be human after all

Further examination of a second bone discovered near an airport trail has revealed it to be from an animal, not a human after all, police said today (April 26, 2022).

 On Monday (April 25), Kamloops RCMP issued a news release saying a bone located April 9 had been confirmed as human. Shortly after, an updated report revealed that upon further examination by the BC Coroner Service’s Identification Specialist, the found bone probably belonged to a juvenile deer.

“The new information confirms that the initial bone located on March 26, remains the only human bone located so far,” said Const. Crystal Evelyn.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the bone ended up there is ongoing and will be done in consultation with the BC Coroners Service. It is not related to a body discovered in the South Thompson River on Monday.

Since March 26, the area has been searched by the Police Dog Services Unit, Search and Rescue, and most recently, the RCMP Human Remains Detection (cadaver) dogs. Air Services and the police boat were also utilized to expand the search and cover the shoreline.

Meanwhile, a body discovered in the South Thompson River Monday night has police investigating.

Around 7 p.m., RCMP and Kamloops Fire Rescue were called to the 2000-block of Mission Flats Road, where a couple walking their dog saw a body in shallow water. The Kamloops RCMP Serious Crime Unit and the BC Coroner Service attended.

“Although the investigation is ongoing, the cause of death appears to be non-criminal at this time,” said Const. Evelyn. “Police are still working to identify the deceased male.”

The BC Coroners Service has been called and is conducting its own, concurrent investigation into the circumstances around the person’s death.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file number 2022-13459.