Police have released the name of a Saanich man who was murdered in Sayward earlier this month.
The body of Dillon Brown, 30, was discovered just before 8 p.m. on March 12 in his grey Honda Accord. It was parked near the west side of a one-way bridge heading into Sayward.
An online campaign is seeking to raise money for Brown’s pregnant wife and two young children. Brown resided in both Saanich and Campbell River, where he grew up.
Brown’s death was initially deemed suspicious. On Friday, it was upgraded to a homicide following an autopsy. Investigators believe Brown died as the result of a targeted attack, and say the public are not at risk.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU), in partnership with the B.C. Coroners Service and the Campbell River and Sayward RCMP, continue to investigate the death of Brown, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Janelle Shoihet.
Brown was last seen leaving a residence in Campbell River at about 1 p.m. on March 11 in his car.
VIIMCU investigators want to speak to anyone who may have seen Brown or his vehicle, between 1 p.m. on March 11 and 7:45 p.m. on March 12. Photos and video images may greatly assist.
Brown was known in Greater Victoria as a successful amateur fighter in kickboxing and mixed martial arts, winning an ISKA title belt. He fought regularly in the former AFC MMA fight promotion.
To report any information about Brown, contact Sayward RCMP at 250-282-5522, Campbell River RCMP at 250-286-6221, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or Text Crimes (274637).
A friend of Brown’s family has set up a Gofundme page, saying he did not have life insurance.
On the page it says, “Dillon Brown was a compassionate and dedicated father of two, his love for his children and his wife was undeniable. Nicole is an amazing, beautiful, hard-working, young mother of two, and her strength and determination is beyond admirable. Not only is this unexpected tragic news too much for one person to emotionally/physically/mentally handle, but now she has just been informed that she is also pregnant with his child.”
- With files from Alastair Taylor