Park death a homicide

Photo: Darren Handschuh

The death of a man in Vernon's Polson Park last week has been ruled a homicide.

The remains of Jason Thomas Hardy, 42, were found in bushes behind the lawn bowling club near the park bandshell.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said police are treating this as a criminal investigation and believe Hardy met with foul play.

Police are not releasing the cause of death and are awaiting autopsy results.

RCMP were alerted to Hardy's body just before 10 a.m. Aug. 26. Police closed off a portion of the park for most of the day as they investigated the discovery.

Molendyk said it is believed Hardy was killed sometime during the night or early morning, and police are asking anyone who may have seen something to call 250-545-7171 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Molendyk said Hardy is known to police, but could not confirm in what capacity, adding he had been living in Vernon for some time, but has moved around quite a bit.

“He has some history with police,” said Molendyk.