Homicide investigation launched after Nanaimo man found dead in Lake Cowichan home

After two days of public speculation, the RCMP has confirmed that the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) is assisting the RCMP in the investigation of a suspected homicide in Lake Cowichan.

On September 3, around 11 p.m., police arrived at a home in the 7900 block of Cowichan Lake Road to search a property for Tavis Cragg, who had been reported missing in Nanaimo the same day.

Cragg was found at home and officers who responded to the call believe he was the victim of a murder.

The next day, witnesses saw that the entrance to the driveway near Greendale Road was blocked off with police cordons. The following afternoon, authorities and security forces were still on site.

“The investigation is still in its early stages, but investigators believe this is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to public safety,” the RCMP said in a press release on September 6, three days after the first incident.

The investigation has now been taken over by the VIIMCU, a suspect has been identified and met by investigators.

“This file remains under investigation and further details cannot be disclosed at this time,” the press release said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the VIIMCU Information Line at 250-380-6211.