The victim of the Tri-Cities' sixth murder of 2016 has been identified as 39-year-old Jason Leigh Zellmer.
The Surrey resident was found early Friday morning when Coquitlam RCMP responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle in the 4900-block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. After deeming the death suspicious in nature the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took over the investigation.
IHIT confirmed on Saturday, Sept. 24 that Zellmer met with foul play and died as a result of the injuries he sustained, adding his death does not appear to be random. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death as the investigation involving Coquitlam RCMP, the BC Coroners Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section continues.
"IHIT investigators are seeking information from people who saw Mr. Zellmer during the day on Sept. 22…or were in the area of 4900 Quarry Rd. overnight on Sept. 22 and saw a newer black Hyundai Elantra," said Cpl. Meghan Foster, IHIT spokesperson, in a release.
Zellmer was well known to police, with a criminal record dating back to 1997 that included several property crime offences. At the Downtown Community Court in Vancouver on Aug. 12 Zellmer was found guilty of theft under $5,000 and given a 12-month probation order; an assault charge was stayed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 (IHIT).
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