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Body found in burned car at Port Renfrew identified as mechanic, 49

Bruce Edward Carlson has been identified as the man whose burned remains were found inside a car on the Pacheedaht First Nation in Port Renfrew.

Bruce Edward Carlson has been identified as the man whose burned remains were found inside a car on the Pacheedaht First Nation in Port Renfrew.

The 49-year-old’s death is considered suspicious but RCMP have not released details on suspects or whether the case is considered a homicide.

Carlson was a mechanic, carpenter, carver and owned a tow truck, according to Pacheedaht band manager Chris Hopkins.

Carlson had a daughter.

“Everyone in Port Renfrew knew him,” Hopkins said. “He was well-liked, always helping people out.”

The community is planning a memorial service and scattering of Carlson’s ashes on Jan. 28.

All the police have said to community members is that they’re still investigating, Hopkins said.

Carlson was sentenced to 12 months in jail for an aggravated sexual assault that took place in Esquimalt in 2013. Carlson was ordered to produce his DNA and was on the national sex offender registry.

His body was found in the late morning on Dec. 27, after a person called Sooke RCMP to report a burned grey 2004 Pontiac Grand Am with human remains inside.

Sooke RCMP, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, the B.C. Coroners Service and a forensic identification team continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sooke RCMP or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)