Police investigating another suspicious death in Port Alberni

Port Alberni RCMP are investigating after a man died in hospital following what police are calling a suspicious incident early Sunday morning.

This is the third such case in the community this month.

Just after 12:40 a.m. on August 10th, officers were called to the area of Johnston Road and Victoria Quay for a report of an assault.

When they arrived, they found a man suffering from serious injuries. He was transported to hospital but, despite life-saving efforts, he did not survive.

The Port Alberni RCMP’s General Investigation Section has taken over the case and is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Based on initial information, police say the incident is being treated as suspicious. The man has been identified, but his name is not being released at this time.

This marks the third suspicious death in Port Alberni in recents weeks.

On August 2nd, a man died in a house fire that investigators are treating as suspicious. Police say an adult female resident was also on-scene, suffering from fire and smoke related injuries.

Several days later, on August 8th, human remains were found inside a burned vehicle on 4th Avenue. Police are still working to determine if any of the incidents are connected.

Earlier this summer, on June 16th, a man was found dead in Dry Creek Park with injuries. That case led to the arrest of 42-year-old William Shane Watts on August 7th. He has since been charged with first-degree murder.

RCMP are asking anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam footage from the Johnston Road and Victoria Quay area on August 10 to contact the Port Alberni detachment at 250-723-2424.