RCMP investigate suspicious death in Duncan

RCMP are investigating what they are calling a suspicious death after the body of a 36-year-old man was found in the hallway of a Duncan apartment building.

The body of Ryan Hendrick Young was found at the Gala Vista Apartments at 1030 Government St. on Saturday morning. North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP were called to the scene at 6:30 a.m.

“Our priority is to try to piece together the day and hours leading up to Mr. Young’s death,” said Sgt. John Ferguson of the Vancouver Island Major Crime Unit.

Anyone who saw Young, spoke to him or has information about his whereabouts between Friday morning and Saturday morning is asked to call the VIIMCU tipline at 250-380-6211.

Police did not say whether Young was a resident of the building or if he was visiting.

Resident Belinda Longpre said police officers knocked on her door Saturday afternoon and asked if she heard anything Saturday between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Longpre said she was sleeping and did not hear anything.

A building manager with Rockwell property management did not answer questions about the police investigation.

Young is described as white, six feet tall, 245 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing a black hoodie and grey pants on the morning of his death.

Gala Vista Apartments consists of two apartment blocks, each housing about 50 units on four storeys.

Matthew Pocock said the body was found in A block and was surprised police had not yet canvassed for witnesses where he lives in B block.

“The cops haven’t come over to tell us anything,” he said.

Pocock, who has lived in the building for six years, said he’s concerned about the suspicious death, but not particularly surprised.“This is a building that doesn't exactly have a great reputation,” he said.

“Police aren’t an uncommon sight here.”

Pocock said it’s one of the most affordable apartment buildings in Duncan, with rent for a two-bedroom apartment running at about $800 a month.

The death comes at a time when Duncan residents are concerned about what they say are rising crime rates and drug activity in the community.

Sarah Senkow, a Duncan mom, held a meeting on Monday morning where residents expressed those concerns. She set up the group after a reported sexual assault against a 14-year-old on Thursday. After the report was found to be false, Senkow said it was important to continue the campaign to since parents and residents need a way to communicate their concerns.

Duncan Mayor Phil Kent acknowledged that North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP have faced increasing calls in recent years and said more work is being done to co-ordinate more proactive policing practices.

Kent said a particular concern for residents is needles discarded on the street and in parks.

“Probably the most clear issue is the disposal of sharps. That has really increased in all areas around the urban core,” Kent said.

“We’re working with the agencies doing the harm reduction programs to try and address that and make sure there are sweeps and collection of needles.”