View Royal resident Richard Curtis Milligan, 56, has been identified as the person found dead on a Metchosin property this week.
“As the investigation is progressing, we are now treating this death as a homicide,” said Const. Alex Bérubé, spokesman for West Shore RCMP, on Friday.
Milligan worked as a tree faller, following in his father’s footsteps.
Daughter Kacey Milligan asked that the family’s privacy be respected. “Since this has been released this afternoon, we can no longer keep it quiet as a family,” she said on social media. “Please respect our families’ privacy during this difficult time. RIP Dad, hope you’re up there carving log chairs like in the good ol’ Sooke days. Say hi to Papa for us.”
Bérubé said a tactical troop and forensic-identification investigators are assisting with the search of the five-acre property on Malloch Road.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, which probes homicides and suspicious deaths, is leading the investigation.
West Shore RCMP say they were led to the scene about noon on Wednesday, but have not said who led them there.
Bérubé said the public is not at risk.
Investigators want to hear about any suspicious activity or individuals who may have been in the area of Malloch Road and Gillespie Road between Aug. 19 and Aug. 21.
Anyone with information about the death is asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264. Anonymous reports can be made be calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or going online to victoriacrimestoppers.ca.
