Arrested, let go in homicide

Photo: Colin Dacre

RCMP Supt. Ted De Jager at Penticton council Tuesday

A woman was arrested in connection to the 2017 death of a 17-year-old Penticton man, but was released without charges.

Police informed the public of the April homicide in December.

“Although initially believed that the man’s death was attributable to a medical condition, further information and evidence was obtained in August of 2017, which led RCMP investigators and the BC Coroners Service, to categorize his death as a homicide,” said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk Tuesday. 

The teen was found dead on April 2 at 12:24 p.m. inside a Penticton residence.

A young woman reported her companion was in medical distress and police, along with paramedics, responded to the scene.

“A 17-year-old male, was located unresponsive inside a Penticton area residence, with BCAS providing CPR to the youth,” said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

The male was pronounced dead at the scene.

RCMP arrested a 20-year-old Penticton woman on Feb. 1, 2018, almost 10 and half months later, in connection to the death. Police said she was the man’s “companion.”

“(She was) subsequently released that day, without charges, with further investigation pending,” stated Moskaluk.

When the homicide was disclosed in December, the head of Penticton RCMP said the public shouldn't be concerned about the homicide.

“The integrity of the investigation outweighs the need to notify the public of the particulars,” said Supt. Ted De Jager at the time.

The investigation is ongoing.