KAMLOOPS RCMP said on Wednesday that missing person Mohd Abdullah, 60, is believed to be a victim of homicide, following an autopsy Tuesday.

Abdullah was a lecturer at Thompson Rivers University and had worked at the university for 21 years, playing an important role in the Faculty of Science and Open Learning.

RCMP said that what began as a suspicious death investigation related to the March 17 discovery of a deceased person inside a vehicle on the 1600-block of Monterey Place, is now being treated as a homicide, with police looking for more information on the victim’s movements prior to his death.

Mr. Abdullah was reported missing after he failed to attend work on March 14. He was last heard from on March 11.

“We are sorry to confirm that Mr. Abdullah is the deceased person discovered last week,” said Sgt. Nestor Baird, Kamloops RCMP Serious Crime Unit.

A man walking in a green jacket with fluorescent green inside its hood. The man is wearing a green toque, dark pants, and brown boots. He is holding what appears to be a scarf or a bag in his hand.

Investigators are seeking witnesses who may have seen Abdullah on Friday March 11, and anytime afterwards, prior to the discovery of his body on March 17.

“Mohd usually travelled by foot, or took public transit,” said Baird. “We are releasing two images of Mohd getting off a bus in the downtown area on Friday March 11, in hopes that it will spark the memory of any witnesses who may have seen him on that day or afterwards, and assist police in tracking his movements.”

Mr. Abdullah was described as: 5’8, 126 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.

Police said they have been working with Abdullah’s next of kin and are confident he is the deceased, while they continue to work with the BC Coroner’s Service.

“To help further the investigation and capture all available evidence as soon as possible, police felt it was essential to request the public’s assistance in gathering information and video surveillance related to Mr. Abdullah’s movements as soon as possible,” said Baird.

Investigators also continue to seek information on the movements of a white rental van last week in Kamloops and surrounding rural areas and communities, including Barriere, Clearwater, Valemount, Savana, Cache Creek, and other spots along those corridors.

The van is described as:

– white rental van
– 2020 GMC
– BCLP PJ 9131
– company markings and logos
The Serious Crime Unit, General Investigation Service Team, Forensic Identification Service, Police Dog Service, and frontline officers are all actively engaged in the ongoing investigation.

The BC Coroner’s Service is conducting a concurrent investigation.

Anyone with information related to this incident is requested to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2022-8565.

Meanwhile, media reports say that a local Kamloops lawyer, Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, has been charged with one count of interfering with a dead body after allegedly placing human remains in a plastic bin.

Court documents state that police believe the accused committed the offence between March 16 and March 18.