Vernon RCMP looking for individual who was in Polson Park night of alleged murder

VERNON – Investigators believe there was someone else in Polson Park the night of an alleged murder, and they’re hoping that person will come forward.

Police issued a statement earlier this week asking for additional witnesses in the Jason Hardy murder investigation, but RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says it appears investigators are looking for one person in particular to help flesh out the case. 

“Our investigators are saying they’ve spoken to everyone who came forward so far and they’ve got a fairly good idea there was someone else in the park that night who may or may not have seen something,” Noseworthy says.

The alleged murder occurred sometime between the evening of Aug. 25 and the early morning hours of Aug. 26.

Three people have been charged with second degree murder in connection with Hardy’s death: Brandon Wellington, 18, Tal Kalum La Riviere, 28, and a 14-year-old whose name is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. All three knew each other and are from the Greater Vernon area, Noseworthy says. La Riviere was previously known to police.

“We have a very strong case against the three people arrested and charged,” Noseworthy says. “At this point we’re just trying to complete the idea of what happened throughout that night.”

Anyone with information about Hardy’s death, or who witnessed suspicious activity around the area and time of the alleged incident, is asked to contact the Vernon RCMP detachment at 250-545-7171 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.