RCMP asking for public's help after 2 people found dead in burnt SUV

RCMP say the two victims have not been identified yet. (David Bell/CBC - image credit)
RCMP say the two victims have not been identified yet. (David Bell/CBC - image credit)

New Brunswick RCMP are investigating a double homicide after two people were found dead in a burnt-out SUV.

The white Chevrolet Equinox was found Monday off Midland Road in Chipman, about 60 kilometres northeast of Fredericton, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Hans Ouellette.

Police were called at about 8 a.m. Monday and the major crimes unit is now in charge of the investigation, he said.

Police have so far been unable to identify the bodies, he said, adding that police are looking for any security camera, dashcam or doorbell-camera video recorded between 8 p.m. on Sunday and 8 a.m. on Monday.

The RCMP issued a news release about the double homicide on Wednesday, two days after the SUV was found.

In September, RCMP apologized for failing to alert the public to a shooting in the Chipman area until three days after the fact.

Ouellette said RCMP believe Monday's discovery was due to an isolated event, and investigators had requested that information be withheld.

"A request was made by the major crime [unit] and the lead investigators that we hold off on releasing any details about the incident while they initiated the investigation," he said.

"It did take some time for us to gather the evidence," he said. "There's the fire that may make this a little bit more complex. So those things do come into play."