The Whistler RCMP is investigating romantic rivalry as a possible motive for a brutal attack that left a Pemberton teen with serious injuries last week.
Police have recommended attempted murder charges against a 16-year-old Pemberton resident who allegedly attacked another 16-year-old with a knife, hammer and baseball bat on Saturday, Nov. 9.
The victim's father, who Pique is not naming to protect the identities of the youths involved, said the suspect "was very upset that his ex-girlfriend said she was in love with (the victim)" and lured him to his residence claiming he was interested in purchasing the victim's camera.
The father also said the two teens "grew up together" and attended the same school.
When asked about the possible motive, Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair said, "We're exploring a couple of different possible motives, that (the love rivalry) being one of them." He also said there were "a variety of reasons" the victim went to the alleged attacker's house, one of them being that the victim was attempting to sell two cameras and some other items to the accused.
Following the reported incident, officers found tarps and a large hole dug in the accused's backyard, leading police to believe the attack was premeditated. Police are awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine if the alleged assailant was using drugs or alcohol.
"(The victim is) recovering well," the victim's father added. "He will have to go in for plastic surgery at some point."
The teen has severe scarring on his face, the father added, with a large wound from his eye down to his chin.
The accused was remanded for psychiatric evaluation last Wednesday, Nov. 13 and remains in custody, police said. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 27.
Man drowns in Keyhole Falls hot springs
A 25-year-old Mission man drowned last Thursday, Nov. 14 at Keyhole Falls hot springs after consuming what police believe was a fatal mixture of alcohol and prescription medication.
Two men and a woman arrived at the hot springs on Thursday, and after having several drinks and prescription pills the victim began to lose consciousness while still in the pool. The woman, also in the pool, was unable to keep him above water, police said. The other man had left to retrieve camping gear from a vehicle and returned to find the victim dead in the pool.
The survivors then hiked out to find help but became lost, LeClair said, and camped out overnight. In the morning they found a road and flagged down a vehicle.
Pemberton Search and Rescue (PSAR) attempted to locate the body via helicopter on the afternoon of Nov. 15, but had to cut the search short due to minimal daylight. The RCMP arrived at the scene on foot, and confirmed that the victim was deceased.
The body was recovered the next day.
Help sought in two separate incidents
Investigators have requested the public's assistance in identifying a male suspect who reportedly sexually assaulted a female on Halloween night between 3:30 and 4 a.m.
Police received a report from a complainant who said an unknown man pushed her into a ditch near Nordic Drive on Highway 99, got on top of her, held her hands over her head and attempted to kiss and grope her. The alleged victim said she was able to escape after kicking the male.
The suspect is described as being taller than 5'9", around 210 pounds, possibly Australian with black hair. He was wearing black with a skeleton mask.
Anyone with information call Whistler RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Police are also hoping the public has information regarding an apparent hit-and-run in Pemberton that took place Oct. 26.
At approximately 2:40 a.m. police received a call reporting an injured woman lying in the northbound lane south of the Hitching Post Motel on Highway 99.
The woman was reportedly struck by a vehicle and suffered a head injury and fracture to the lower leg.
