Human remains found at rural Salmon Arm property as multiple searches continue

Human remains have been found at a rural property in the interior of B.C., as two searches in relation to the same criminal investigation continue.

Mounties beganexecuting a search warrant in the 2200 block of Salmon River Road, between Salmon Arm and Vernon,on Thursday. A statement said the remains were found on Saturday.

The RCMP's Southeast District Major Crimes Unitis leading the investigation into the discovery, which is being treated as suspicious.

The B.C. Coroners Service was also on scene.

On Sunday, RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said he couldn't confirm why officers had a search warrant for the property, except to say that it was in relation to a criminal investigation.

2nd related search

Moskaluksaida second search near Springbend Road and Highway 97B has been ongoing since earlier this week. The search area is 15 kilometres northeast of the Salmon River Road property.

The officer would not say what Mounties are looking for, but said officers are canvassing rivers, roadsides and undeveloped areas.

Searches are expected to continue into the week and Moskaluksaid there will be a heavy police presence at the home where the remains were found.

Previous incident in area prompted warning

The property at which the remains were found ison the same road that was the subject of a recent police warning.

That notice stemmed from an incident on Aug. 28, when police were called to same block of Salmon River Road after a man allegedly threateneda woman with a gun.

The pair hadagreed to meet overan online website used by sex-trade workers and escorts, but RCMPsaid the man pulled out a gun when she arrived. The womanwas able to get away safely and an investigation was launched.

RCMPreleased astatement about the August incident on Oct. 13, warning of "the possible risk to the general public and women sex workers."

The statement encouragedthe public especially escorts and sex workers to take "any measures they deem necessary to safeguard" themselves.

Moskaluk said Curtis Wayne Sagmoenhas since been arrested and charged with firearmsoffences in relation to the incident.He also faces charges for possession of methamphetamine.

The officer said Sagmoenwas a North Okanagan resident "of that same area," but would not confirm if he was the owner ofthe propertywhere the remains were found.