Photo: Casey Richardson

Dozens of bouquets and gifts have been left at the home of this week's homicide in Naramata, as grief pours in the tight-knit community.

Police confirmed Friday that the body they discovered inside a home two days prior was 57-year-old Kathleen Richardson. RCMP said they were visiting the home as a part of the investigation into May's double homicide when they found her dead.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) acknowledged the death, expressing condolences to the family and friends of Richardson.

“Kathy’s recent passing is a loss for the community of Naramata and the region,” the RDOS statement reads.

Richardson was a licensed hairstylist and operated her own home-based salon for many years.

“Kathy was well known in the community as both a business owner and volunteer,” RDOS Chair Karla Kozakevich said in the release. “She was a kind person who would always smile and wave when we passed each other in the village.”

In November 2017, Kathy joined the Naramata Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) as a volunteer member.

“Kathy is a great example of how an individual can make a community a better place,” Naramata Fire Chief Dennis Smith added. “Kathy brought an exceptional skill set and compassion to people during medical emergencies. She was also deployed provincially as a NVFD team member during recent wildfire events. We will miss her.”

The Regional District added that support is available through RCMP Victim Services which provides assistance and resources to those in need. For further information, call 250-770-4713.

Photo: Casey Richardson