Kamloops RCMP have charged a 51-year-old Kamloops man with one count of interfering with a dead body after human remains were found rolled up in a carpet behind a dumpster in an alley on Carson Crescent last November.

Police say they do not believe the victim, 66-year-old David Melvin Boltwood was murdered. However, they have charged Shane Troy Brownlee after he was arrested today.

“I understand that a case like this is difficult for the public to understand. As investigators, we of course presume a body found in this circumstance was the victim of foul play until proven otherwise,” said Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay. “This matter was very carefully investigated and we are satisfied that the death itself was not criminal in nature.”

He says there were several tips made to police that led investigators to determine that Boltwood was staying in a nearby apartment with another man. It remains unclear what relation Brownlee had to Boltwood.

“Given this matter is proceeding to court, I cannot get into the details of how this determination [that Boltwood was not murdered] was made because this conclusion was based on specific physical and forensic evidence that was corroborated by witnesses and investigation,” Pillay added, noting the investigation was made possible because of tips from the public.

He says police canvassed the neighbourhood canvassing early on during the investigation,  and area residents were helpful.