Police identify man whose body was found near Nicola Lake, classify death as homicide

The RCMP say they now believe a man whose body was found near Nicola Lake in British Columbia was the victim of a homicide.

Officers found the body in the rural area Tuesday and initially described the death as suspicious.

Investigators from the Southeast District Major Crime Unit are identifying the man as 51 year old Dennis Michael Walters of Merritt, B.C.

Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says in a news release that investigators are working on a timeline of events leading up to his death.

Anyone with information or knowledge of Walters' whereabouts on Monday until the discovery of his body Tuesday morning is asked to contact the major crime unit's tip line.