It has been one year since friends located Doug Smith murdered inside his trailer in Hedley and much still remains a mystery.
The 55-year-old Smith was found at a residence and believed to have been killed between March 5 and 6, 2013.
“We pray, but what can we do?” said Jennifer Douglass, who was Smith’s partner for seven years. “I want Doug to be at peace. I want his soul to be at peace and I worry more about his ability to rest not having a resolution to his death.”
Smith was expected to meet with a friend the evening he was found dead. When he didn’t show up the friend suspected something was wrong went to the residence where they found Smith’s body. Some in the community, located just 29 kilometres west of Keremeos, believe Smith suffered a deadly gunshot wound. RCMP did not confirm the details surrounding his death. Community members said many residents in the close-knit town of about 250 people suspect it was someone who knew Smith.
“It has been quite difficult not having any resolution. Doug was a well known person in this town. He lived here for 30 years so it is quite different not seeing him in town anymore,” said Douglass. “In a small town like this you would think someone would come forward or a witness or something. It is quite surprising that someone could escape notice.”
The South East District Major Crime Unit is asking anyone who had contact with Smith on either of the days he is believed to have been killed, and have not spoken to police, to contact investigators.
Anyone with information pertaining to the murder of Smith is asked to contact Const. Mike Kube at 250-300-1369 or by email at michael.kube@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Cpl. Joelle Scriver at 250-469-2241 or by email at joelle.scriver@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
If you have information and would like to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.