Body found at site of Langley, B.C., explosion, homicide investigators say

UPDATE: The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the B.C. Coroners Service issued a statement on Oct. 26, 2023 saying that the body found at the scene was not the victim of a homicide. 

Homicide investigators say they are examining the site of an explosion in Langley, B.C., that happened on Sunday, after a body was found at the scene. 

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says RCMP officers were called to a residence in the 24300-block of 8 Avenue in the Fraser Valley municipality on Sunday afternoon after reports of an explosion.

Police said they found an "outbuilding" on fire, which was put out by the local fire department, and human remains were subsequently found. 

IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti says neighbours told police they heard and felt the explosion as it happened. 

He said the exact time of the person's death has yet to be determined.

"At this time we are unable to say whether the person was deceased as a result of the explosion or if they were already deceased beforehand," Pierotti said. 

He says investigators are working to identify the victim and figure out if the explosion was an accident or not.

The property is in a rural part of the Township of Langley, a short distance north of the U.S. border.

RCMP said they are in the early stages of the investigation, and added they will be canvassing the area for witnesses and video footage. 

Anyone who has dashcam footage from the area between noon and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 is being asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.