The mother of a 25-year-old Kamloops man who is believed to be the victim of a recent targeted killing is reaching out for help in getting answers — and justice — for her son.

Tina Bain, the mother of Dillen Bain, has taken to social media to plead with anyone who has information related to her son’s suspected killing to contact police.

In doing so, the grieving mother has also revealed what the Southeast District Major Crimes Unit has so far been unwilling to confirm — that the body of Dillen Bain is most likely the remains RCMP discovered inside a burned-out, stolen vehicle northwest of Kamloops nearly two weeks ago.

“Please, I am begging anyone who saw or knows anything,” wrote Bain in a Facebook post.  “My son is likely the person found in the black 2019 Volkswagen Golf on Tranquille-Criss Creek Road.”

“Someone out there knows what happened. Someone out there holds the truth,” continued Bain in her impassioned online plea as she searches for answers.  “He deserved so much more than this ending, and I need answers for him.”

The RCMP too are also hunting for information and have bumped up the investigation to a higher level.

Dillen Bain’s case has been taken over by provincial-level investigators with the BC RCMP’s Southeast District Major Crimes Unit.

In confirming the Major Crimes investigation, BC RCMP is keeping its cards close to the chest as far as details of the investigation are concerned.

The news release confirming the Southeast Major Crimes unit was taking control of the file still has Bain listed as a missing person, even though it’s clear the RCMP have informed his mother of their working theory that he is likely the victim found in the burned-out vehicle.

While not officially tipping their hand to that, Major Crimes was able to offer some “ambiguous clarity” into its messaging to give potential witnesses a point of reference to work with.

“While the identity of the body recovered in a vehicle fire on Tranquille-Criss Creek Road has not yet been confirmed, police investigators and the BC Coroners Service are continuing to investigate possible connections,” noted the District MCU in its release, suggesting its investigators too would like to get more information from the broader public.

Details about where precisely along Tranquille-Criss Creek Road the burned-out vehicle was discovered have not been revealed.

“If you were in that area between 3 p.m. on August 22 and 7 a.m. on August 23, 2025, and saw the car, or if you have dashcam footage or surveillance video, I am pleading with you to come forward,” proclaimed Tina Bain in one of her online posts, echoing a similar appeal put out by the Mounties.

“Do not stay silent,” she added.  “Even the smallest detail could help bring justice for my boy.”

The manner in which the body was discovered two weekends ago would suggest a targeted killing, as whomever drove the vehicle up the remote stretch of roadway and lit it on fire would likely have had someone else drive them back out of the area.

Bodies discovered in stolen, burned-out vehicles have become a grim calling card for homicides often tied to gang activity.

Bain has been facing some legal trouble down in the lower mainland.

According to online court records, the 25-year-old was due to be back in provincial court in Port Coquitlam on September 9th on an assault charge — details surrounding which are unknown.

While there is nothing to suggest Bain was tied to the local gang conflict, during his disappearance those close to him did write online about the 25-year-old’s struggles with substance abuse — but also his desire to make a change in his life.

“My boyfriend is currently missing, and our lives have been turned upside down as we search for him,” wrote his partner online. “He has been struggling with his mental health and substance use, but what is most important to know is that he was trying –truly trying– to change, to heal, and to make peace with his past choices.”

“He wanted better for himself, for us, and for the future he dreamed of.”

Tina Bain is also pledging to keep her campaign going as the investigation into her son’s apparent murder moves forward.

“To my son: I will not forgive the ones who did this to you,” she wrote.   “I promise you with every breath in me, I will not stop until truth is exposed and justice is served. You will never be forgotten, and I will carry you in my heart forever.”

“Please call the Southeast District Major Crime Unit at 1-877-987-8477,” she added as part of her appeal for information.