RCMP have confirmed that on Saturday Oct. 13, at 1:36 p.m., they received a report of a kidnapping and suspicious death on a remote rural road (Highline Road), outside of Seton Portage.
Lillooet RCMP members attended and located a deceased 71-year-old man who was subsequently identified as Zube Aylward, a former Whistler resident and a well-known artist in that area.
Aylward’s home is located about 16 kilometres from Seton Portage.
Due to the circumstances of this incident, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit has taken carriage of the investigation, and is being assisted by the Lillooet RCMP Detachment and the RCMP Southeast District Forensic Identification Services.
RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said the investigation is in its early stages, therefore, no further details will be released at this time.
Police also say this appears to be an isolated incident and investigators have no information to suggest that the greater public is at further risk.
Speculation in Seton Portage suggests Aylward was the victim of a home invasion-style robbery.
