‘Many unanswered questions’: Young man dead after mysterious incident in B.C.’s Fraser Valley

Homicide investigators are looking into the death of a man who was reportedly assaulted and abducted from Abbotsford, then found in South Surrey.

Authorities are investigating a mysterious incident in B.C.’s Fraser Valley that left a young man dead.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said the 19-year-old was assaulted in Abbotsford in the middle of the night on Jan. 17, then taken away from the scene a vehicle.

He was found critically injured that morning in Surrey, and died days later in hospital.

“The victim had his whole life ahead of him,” said Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT, in a statement. “Sadly, his family is now left in grief with many unanswered questions.”

Witnesses reported the initial assault around 1:52 a.m., near Abbotsford’s Victoria Street and Hopedale Avenue.

The victim was located approximately three hours later in the Crescent Beach area of Surrey, authorities said.

Few details have been confirmed, but IHIT said the incident appears targeted, and that there is no ongoing risk to the public.

“You can expect investigators to be in the area canvassing for video evidence,” Fong said. “A number of witness interviews are underway in an effort to determine the motivation behind the attack.”

IHIT asked anyone with information on the incident to contact its tip line at 1-877-551-4448.