Heartbroken friends, family remember 22-year-old homicide victim from Summerland

KELOWNA – As RCMP continue to investigate the sudden death of a 22-year-old Summerland man, friends, family, teachers and those who only met him once or twice are paying tribute to someone who clearly loved life and won't soon be forgotten.

Tura Stephen McCarty graduated from Summerland Secondary School in 2012. According to his Facebook tribute page, his teachers remember him as intelligent, mischievous and happy.

“You were never a super star in French but you shone brightly in so many other ways,” writes one teacher. “Shine on Tura.”

On Jan. 6 McCarty's body was found in a vehicle on Bear Creek Road. Police first called it suspicious then a homicide but have not released many details. Supt. Nick Romanchuk said in a media release it was not a random attack, but they won't say why they think that. 

Soon after the death went public, a friend of Tura’s started a Facebook tribute page where dozens of people who knew him are posting messages and photos. One comment reads like a touching obituary for him, calling him "an amazing young man, cherished and loving brother and friend to all who knew him."

"We will find out the truth," writes one friend who describes him as kind-hearted and charismatic guy. "Karma and justice will prevail I promise you that brother Xx.”

Pictures show he played basketball for Summerland Secondary School and his middle school teacher says he wanted to become a stand up comedian or host his own talk show.

According to another post, a funeral service will be held at the Springfield Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at 1 p.m. for friends and family.

Anyone with any information that could help police are asked to call Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or texting CRIMES (274637) ktown.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.