Salmon Arm RCMP are working on their third homicide investigation of 2011, after the body of a 73-year-old woman was found face down Thursday, Aug. 11 in the carport of her residence.
The victim has been identified as Pamela Jones, who was renting a suite at the residence at 4780 10th Ave. SE.
Police and ambulance were called to the home at 5:30 p.m. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the woman without success.
As the cause of death could not be determined at the time of the initial call, members of the RCMP Forensic Identification Service were called in to process the scene. Members of the RCMP’s major Crime Unit also attended to assist with the investigation.
After the completion of a forensic autopsy on Monday, the death was determined to be suspicious in nature.
“Now we are dealing with a homicide investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane.
“The cause of death is being withheld at this time. Police continue their investigation into this matter.”
Jones’ death is the third homicide investigation in the region this year, which is highly unusual for the Shuswap. This area is more likely to experience one homicide every five years.
On Feb. 18, Louise Phillips, 52, was stabbed to death by her estranged husband. Jim Phillips was charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death, but committed suicide April 16 after being released on bail.
On June 1, Nicholas Cole Larsen, 24, was killed in a targeted attack when someone in a passing vehicle shot the Sorrento man as he drove along Blind Bay Road.
No one has been arrested in connection with Larsen’s death and the police investigation is ongoing.