Missing men found dead

UPDATE: 12:55 p.m.

RCMP say the discovery of Ryan Provencher and Richard Scurr's bodies near Ashcroft "involves criminality."

The duo was last seen July 17 in Surrey.

At that time, police said the 38-year-old Provencher and 37-year-old Scurr planned to travel to the southern Interior and preliminary information indicated the men reached their destination, 35 kilometres northeast of Lytton, along the Thompson River.

– The Canadian Press

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ORIGINAL: 11:10 a.m.

The RCMP says the bodies of two missing men from Surrey were discovered Saturday afternoon near Spences Bridge.

Local police officers and the Southeast District Major Crime Unit were called to the rural area north of Spences Bridge Aug. 17 for the gruesome discovery.

“We have been working closely with the BC Coroners Service to confirm the identities of the deceased as Ryan Provencher and Richard Scurr, who were reported missing to the Surrey RCMP in mid-July of this year,” said Sgt. Steve Rigby.

“The RCMP is confirming their identities in an effort to advance our investigation into their deaths.”

The Jeep the men were travelling in was found in a wooded area near Logan Lake a few days after they were last spotted in Surrey on July 17.

RCMP resources from across the Southern Interior are assisting in the investigation.

Police have previously said the case is unrelated to the three northern B.C. homicides believed to be committed by Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky.

Anyone with information on the two deaths is asked to contact the SED MCU tipline at 1-877-987-8477 or remain anonymous through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.