From Red Deer RCMP: July 31st, 10:00pm.

As a result of public assistance the Red Deer RCMP have located the black Town and Country van that was reported stolen at 6:30 a.m., this morning.  The RCMP are pleased to confirm that the body of the deceased man was located in the back of the van.

The van was abandoned in the Glendale neighbourhood, and RCMP members remained in that area to conduct door to door enquiries to determine if anyone saw anything suspicious, or anyone, in relation to this investigation.

With the assistance of the Forensic Identification Section, the RCMP continue to actively investigate this incident and will remain committed to identifying the culprit responsible for this theft.

The public and the media are thanked for their interest, and engagement, in working towards locating the van.

 If you have information about this crime, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.

 

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From Red Deer RCMP: July 31st, 4:00pm

Red Deer RCMP continue to search for a black van that was stolen from a Red Deer business at 6:30 am this morning. The stolen van is a black 2014 Chrysler Town and Country van with Alberta license plate 72M 682.

The van was stolen from the parking lot of a funeral home after the driver briefly exited the van; the van contained the body of a deceased man in the back. Red Deer RCMP began an immediate search for the van, which has continued throughout the day, and brought in the Alberta RCMP helicopter to assist in the search. Red Deer RCMP have also reached out to multiple law enforcement partners to assist in the search and have contacted the next of kin of the deceased man.

“This vehicle theft was almost certainly a crime of opportunity, but with a very unfortunate and upsetting twist in that there is a deceased person in the back,” says Red Deer RCMP Superintendent Ken Foster. “This is a sensitive incident and we’re very aware of the distress it is causing to the family of the deceased and everyone connected to the incident. Red Deer RCMP have been working non-stop since the theft was reported, and we have committed extensive resources and effort, including the helicopter, to locate this van and resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”

If you have seen this van or have information about this crime, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.