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RCMP release name of Willowbrook murder victim

The 27-year-old Kelowna man whose body was found near Willowbrook on Jan. 17 has been identified
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RCMP identified the body found last week in the South Okanagan as that of Dean Jeffery Gillette of Kelowna

RCMP have released the name of the man found dead beside Willowbrook Road last week.

The 27-year-old Kelowna man whose body was found by the side of the road on Jan. 17 has been identified as Dean Jefferey Gillette of Kelowna.

RCMP said last week the man was the victim of an apparent homicide. An autopsy was conducted in Kamloops on Jan. 24, with the pathologist confirming the cause of death as a gunshot wound.

More: Willowbrook body ruled a homicide

The scene where his body was recovered, a rural area near the intersection of Willowbrook and White Lake Roads, is still secured and the investigation into Gillette’s death remains active and ongoing.

The RCMP are also continuing their investigation of an abandoned pickup truck found burning outside of Kaleden along Hwy 3A near Kaleden the same morning the body was discovered. They are looking into any connection that incident might have to Gillette’s murder.

More: Truck ignites on Highway 3

No arrests have been made in relation to Gillette’s murder, however, investigators believe Gillette was the target of this homicide.

Investigators are working to determine Gillette’s movements the evening prior to, and the morning leading up to the time his body was discovered on Jan. 17. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or www.sostips.ca.

Sgt. Steven Rigby, of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit., thanks the local community for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation to date

“We look forward to continued co-operation as we work to determine who is responsible for Gillette’s death,” he wrote in a release.