Vernon man charged with second-degree murder two years after body found near Silver Star

A man’s body was found on a forest service road two years ago, and now a Vernon man has been arrested in connection with the kiling. 

Dale Christopher Lloyd Babiy was charged with second-degree murder after an investigation into the death of 30-year-old Miguel Suzor, according to a press release from police. 

Suzor was found on a forest service road used to access Proctor Lake, west of Silver Star Provincial Park on July 2, 2023. 

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and the E-Division Major Crime Unit investigated and eventually presented information to the BC Prosecution Service. 

Prosecutors approved the second-degree murder charge on Dec. 1. 

The Major Crime Unit arrested Babiy and he’s still in custody awaiting his next court date on Dec. 11. 

Babiy has a lengthy criminal record including being co-accused in a vehicle theft in 2022.

Babiy, who was also sentenced to four years in jail in 2017 for an incident whereby he stripped naked, beat, and then pepper-sprayed an individual he picked up hitchhiking. The assault was connected to the drug trade and stemmed from competition between the men.