Homicide investigators appeal for witnesses in B.C. cold-case murder

Lance Wayne Patterson was found dead on May 9, 2021, near Pouce Coupe, B.C.

Homicide investigators say no suspects have been identified in the killing of a 55-year-old father whose body was found along a remote stretch of northern British Columbia highway nearly four years ago.

The remains of Lance Wayne Patterson were discovered near the intersection of Highway 2 and Clark Road, south of the village of Pouce Coupe, not far from the B.C.-Alberta boundary, on May 9, 2021.

“No one deserves to die the way Lance did,” said Dana Patterson, the victim’s sister, in a video statement released by the RCMP on Thursday. “Questions like ‘Who?’ and ‘Why?’ haunt us every day.”

Authorities say Patterson was driving a distinctive black 2003 Mercury Marauder sedan around the time of his death.

‘Nightmare’

In a statement Thursday, the RCMP urged anyone with information about the vehicle or about Patterson’s whereabouts in the days leading up to his death to contact investigators.

“We believe there are individuals who know critical details about Lance’s death,” Sgt. Chad Mereski of the Northern District RCMP’s major crimes unit said in the statement.

“This information, no matter how small it may seem, could be the key to moving this investigation forward.”

Dana described her brother as “a son, a father and my only sibling,” adding that her 85-year-old father “lives with a nightmare that no parent should ever have to experience.”

Investigators say dash-camera video recorded near the area of Highway 2 and Clark Road in the late evening of May 8, 2021 and into the next morning “could be critical” in solving the cold case.

“We urge those with knowledge to come forward and help us bring justice for Lance and his family,” Mereski said.

Police have not revealed how Patterson died or whether he may have been killed at a location other than where his body was found.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Dawson Creek RCMP or Crime Stoppers.