On Dec. 29, 2010 at around 8:30 p.m., while on a cross-country skiing trip into St. Leon’s Hot Springs 25 kilometres north of Nakusp on Highway 23, two males were relaxing in a hot pool when they met another male who identified himself as “Terry.”
Terry was accompanied by a male and female. Conversations between the group led to Terry’s discovery that the two men are homosexual.
Shortly after, Terry got out of the hot pool and allegedly stated to his friends that he was going to kill the two men. The victim’s partner got out of the pool and ran into a bush to hide, leaving the victim alone.
Unprovoked, he was viciously beaten as he begged for mercy. The victim suffered cuts and bruising to most of his body and a large cut over the bridge of his nose.
After the beating, the victim was left alone in the snow. His partner was able to help him back to the pool after the suspect and his two friends left on snow mobiles.
At this point of the investigation, police have still not been able to identify the suspect in this case and hope that the public will be able to assist.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately six feet tall, around 44 years of age, having a stalky build with defined muscles and a short, flat-top hairstyle. He also has a tattoo of a silhouette of a bird on his chest, approximately two inches in diameter.
The suspect, “Terry,” is believed to be from Calgary and may have been visiting the area of Nakusp or Revelstoke.
Police believe that the motive for this crime was one of hate and ignorance relating to the victim’s sexual orientation and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
This type of crime should not be tolerated in our country.
If you have any information about this crime or the suspect please contact your local police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
/Submitted by the RCMP Kootenay
Boundary Regional Detachment