Photo: Alanna Kelly

The body of Russia Nicholson was found near Orchard Park Mall Oct. 11.

While Kelowna had the ninth highest murder rate in the country in 2016, the region is on track for a reduction this year.

Last year, five people were killed in Kelowna's Census Metropolitan Area, which includes Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Lake Country. Figures released Wednesday by Statistics Canada show the murder rate was 2.54 per 100,000 people

In 2016, 611 people were killed across Canada, a murder rate of 1.68 per 100,000, while 87 murders occurred in a B.C., a murder rate of 1.83 per 100,000. 

Four people were killed in the Kelowna CMA in 2015, while three murders occurred each year in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

This year, the region has had three confirmed homicides.

Most recently, 23-year-old Russia Nicholson was found dead in an orchard near Orchard Park Mall. The month prior, 27-year-old Joel Pennell was found shot dead in West Kelowna.

In April, 23-year-old Michael Madsen was found dead inside a Stockwell Avenue home that had exploded and burst into flames.

Police have not said if they have any suspects in any of the three deaths.

While B.C. had 10 fewer murders in 2016 than 2015, there were actually 10 more gang-related murders in the province, for a total of 29.

Two of Kelowna's five murders in 2016 were gang-related. Canada-wide, 141 people were killed in gang-related murders, up from 96 the year before.