RCMP issued a Canada-wide warrant for a West Kelowna, B.C., man Wednesday sought in connection with a hit-and-run murder on New Year's Day.
The body of 30-year-old Joel Reimer was found pinned underneath a still running minivan around 8 a.m. in a residential area on Jan. 1.
Reimer, a resident of Fort McMurray, Alberta, had arrived in the central Okanagan city the night before to see his family. He had attended a New Year's Eve party.
Initially considered a traffic fatality, RCMP said Monday they considered Reimer's death a homicide.
The Kelowna Major Crimes Unit said evidence has led them to identify George Nicholas Young as a suspect in the homicide.
The 29-year-old is well-known to police. The RCMP issued the warrant Wednesday when members were unable to locate Young at his home.
Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911, or Crimestoppers.
Young is six-foot-three inches, 210 lbs. with brown hair and blue eyes. He may have a short beard. Young has a distinctive scar on his left cheek, below his eye.
Missing luggage
Reimer was seen carrying two bags, a rolling suitcase and a blue duffel bag, shortly before his death. Police believe someone stole these bags and are appealing for them to come forward.
The suspect is described as stout, wearing a brown lambskin jacket and jogging pants. The person's gender is not known.
It is believed the luggage contains some of the family's personal possessions.
