Detectives with the Vancouver Island Major Crime Unit are investigating a suspicious death after a man’s body was found in the bushes in the 200-block of Beach Drive Wednesday morning.
Oak Bay Police Chief Mark Fisher said the body of an adult male was discovered just off the roadway around 8 a.m. by two people out for a morning walk.
Police, fire, ambulance and a coroner arrived at the scene. Oak Bay police asked Saanich detectives to assist and by 9:30 a.m., Beach Drive between King George Terrace and Monterey Avenue was closed, blocked by police cars and two fire trucks and sealed off with yellow crime tape.
Forensic identification officers also arrived on the scene and searched the area for evidence. A white tent was erected and a command centre truck was parked on Beach Drive.
In a statement later Wednesday, Saanich police Const. Markus Anastasiades said the detectives determined that the man’s death was suspicious. As a result, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation and is working with the Oak Bay police, Saanich police and the B.C. Coroners Service, Anastasiades said.
The victim’s name is not being released to the public, he said, adding that while no arrests have been made, the incident appears to be isolated and there is no perceived risk to the public.
A portion of Beach Drive remained closed to traffic on Wednesday evening.
Anyone with information about the death is asked to call the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit information line at 250-380-6211.
