The integrated homicide investigation team has identified the body found in a Burnaby park last Friday as 20-year-old Burnaby resident Branson Kerick Rendell Sanders.
IHIT released the name Wednesday morning after the B.C. Coroner's Service conducted an autopsy Monday.
The autopsy, however, did not give investigators an exact cause of death, according to IHIT spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Pound
"Further testing is going to be done for that. Our main purpose now is trying to locate and speak to people who may have been in contact with Branson on Dec. 2 or anywhere near that date," Pound said. "We continue to investigate it as a suspicious death."
Pound said police are still working to determine of Sanders' death was targeted.
"We're looking into that. At this point we don't have those answers," she said.
Sasnders' body was found in the bushes off Fareham Avenue and Elwell Road in the George Derby Conservation Area and reported to Burnaby RCMP around 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2. IHIT took over the investigation and spent the weekend collecting evidence from the scene.
Pound said Sanders was known to police, but his criminal record contained "nothing extensive."
Investigators are still looking for tips from the public that may help bring answers in Sanders' death.
IHIT can be reached by phone at 1-877-551-IHIT(4448) or email at [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers at www.solvecrime.ca or 1-800-222-8477.
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