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Foul play ruled out in death on Sumas First Nation land in Abbotsford

Heavy police presence was on scene Tuesday afternoon for body in driveway
12893212_web1_web1_RCMP

A heavy police presence was on scene Tuesday in Abbotsford after a report came in of a sudden death.

The death occurred on the Sumas First Nation reserve on Sumas Mountain Road, just north of Highway 1. That territory is handled by Mission RCMP.

Cpl. Nate Berze said police were called out in the early afternoon and were quickly able to determine that foul play was not involved in the incident.

He referred further questions to the BC Coroners Service, which said the deceased is a man in his 50s, but could not answer further questions. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Neighbours in the area were concerned because of the large police presence and a body covered with a white tarp in the driveway.

Andy Watson, spokesman with the BC Coroners Service, said the role of the agency when investigating a death is to determine specifics such as the cause, time and location.

“And if we can make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances, we will make those recommendations,” he said.

Watson said any further information will not be available until the completion of the investigation. He could not provide an estimated time for that “given so many factors can come into play.”



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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