Bodies of missing Surrey men found near Ashcroft

Ryan Provencher

THE RCMP announced on Monday morning that their Southeast District Major Crime Unit is investigating the discovery of the bodies of two men on Saturday afternoon near Ashcroft.

Richard Scurr

On August 17, Lytton RCMP frontline officers were called to a rural area, north of Spences Bridge, for a report that two bodies had been discovered at that location.

Investigators from the Southeast District Major Crime Unit (SED MCU) were called to assist as the circumstances at the scene led police believe the deaths involve criminality.

Sgt. Steve Rigby of SED MCU said: “We have been working closely with the BC Coroners Service to confirm the identities of the deceased as Ryan Provencher and Richard Scurr, who were reported missing to the Surrey RCMP in mid-July of this year. The RCMP is confirming their identities in an effort to advance our investigation into their deaths.”

The investigation led by the SED MCU has been assisted by Ashcroft and Lytton RCMP detachments, the Forensic Identification Section and Police Dog Service, who assisted in scene examination, and RCMP Air Services who removed the bodies from the rural location. SED MCU will continue to work with Surrey RCMP, receiving information gathered throughout the missing person’s investigation.

The BC Coroners Service is also investigating these deaths and has no further information to release at this time.

Provencher and Scurr were last seen at approximately 12:30 p.m. on July 17 in the 16400-block of 23A Avenue in Surrey, in a white Jeep Cherokee (see previous release).

RCMP later said that it was believed that the pair were planning to travel to Spences Bridge, B.C., on July 17. Preliminary information indicated that they made it to their destination, however, investigators were still following up to confirm this.

On July 21, the jeep associated to the two men was located, parked in a wooded area near Logan Lake, B.C. No indication of foul play was discovered when the jeep was recovered. However, it was transported to Kamloops to undergo further examination.
Following the recovery of the jeep, a Search and Rescue team, the Integrated Police Dog Services, and the RCMP Air 4 helicopter were dispatched to conduct a search of the vast wooded area. Following that search, investigators said they did not believe that Provencher or Scurr were missing in that area.  

If you have any information related to Ryan or Richard’s deaths, you are asked to contact the SED MCU tipline at 1-877-987-8477 or if wish to remain anonymous call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

If you have any information related to Ryan or Richard’s deaths, you are asked to contact the SED MCU tipline at 1-877-987-8477 or if wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477