This is the first in a series on unsolved murders in the South Okanagan/Similkameen
In early March of 2013, the body of Douglas Smith was found inside the trailer he lived in on a property on Cawston Avenue in Hedley.
Today, a little over two years since a friend made that grisly find, the circumstances surrounding Smith's death remain a mystery.
"It's still an open investigation, with no suspects arrested, so unfortunately we don't have a lot," said Const. Mike Kube, lead investigator on the case, with the Southeast District Major Crime Unit. "The family is obviously waiting for someone to be held accountable for this and so are the police."
Prior to his death, Smith, 55, a former truck driver was a long time and well-liked resident of Hedley.
His family was in the trucking industry and he became a truck driver himself, moving with his young family to the small town in 1981.
He liked the area because of its proximity to the mountains and lakes and spent many happy years taking his two children, Jeremy and Niki, fishing in the lakes around Hedley.
He also loved doing mechanical work on his vehicle but hated guns with a passion, according to relatives.
In his trucking days he was known as being beyond generous, often picking up hitchikers and taking them home.
When he stopped driving because of a back problem, he continued to give back to the community, often helping people fix their cars and doing other good deeds.
Relatives recall that even when he was living in the trailer alone with his dog, there was a note on his door that said, "I'll be away for a while, but come on in and keep warm."
Because of the man he was and the impact on a small town, those who knew him well wish there were more answers to why he died and who killed him.
"It's just an oddity, a murder in Hedley," said Smith's uncle Doug Cade. "We are hoping of course that they find this person who did it, but we are not hearing much. They told us right from day one they were working on it but would not say much because of risking the investigation."
Niki Smith, Smith's daughter, said the family takes things day by day.
"There are some days that are still really tough, like birthdays, father's day, the anniversary of his death etc.," she said. "At this point we do not have any answers from the investigators. I am in steady contact with the lead investigator and he assures me that they are still working on my dad's case. It's a tough one for them because there are no witnesses, at least none that have come forward."
Smith said she wants to know who the culprit is, but first and foremost she would like to know why.
"My dad was not into criminal activities, was extremely generous and always helping out his friends and neighbors. It just makes absolutely no sense why someone felt that they had the right to take him away from us," she said. "I really miss taking my boys out to see him, he really loved his grandsons. He would take us all fishing and was eager to show the boys all of his fishing secrets."
It is believed that Smith was found by a friend, when he did not show up for dinner as planned at a Hedley residence. There was talk in the town that Smith was shot in the head, but the RCMP have not confirmed the cause of death.
Cade said he didn't think there was any connection between the death of his nephew and the shooting deaths of Rosemary Fox and Robert Keith Wharton, which took place on March 30, 2013 in a rural area near Princeton.
"We've been told he drove truck right there at that spot," he said. "But I don't know whether he knew them or not."
The police have said there is nothing that would make them believe the Princeton and Hedley incidents are related.
They believe the Smith murder took place between March 5 and 6 and are asking for help from the public to bring closure to the investigation.
If anyone has information regarding the murder of Douglas Smith they are asked to contact the Princeton RCMP detachment at (250) 295-6911 or call investigators Cpl. Joelle Scriver at (250) 469-2241 or Const. Mike Kube at (250) 300-1369.
Crime stoppers can also be reached at 1-800-222-8477.
Further information on the incident is also posted at South Okanagan/Similkameen RCMP detachments.