Image: A number of police vehicles are gathered behind an old retail store along Vedder Road. / Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

RCMP investigation

UPDATE: Large police presence behind former Canadian Tire involved discovery of a body

Apr 21, 2025 | 2:30 PM

UPDATE: IHIT detectives have confirmed that the body of a 37-year-old female was found on Monday in Chilliwack behind the former Canadian Tire building.

According to a statement from IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Freda Fong, Chilliwack RCMP responded on Monday, April 21, 2025 at about 11 a.m. for the report of a suspicious occurrence in the 7500 block of Vedder Road. Upon arrival, first responders discovered the body of a deceased female and the area was closed off for further investigation.

Based on the initial assessment by the Chilliwack RCMP Serious Crimes Unit in conjunction with the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS), the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) team was called out. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Chantelle Ruhl, of no fixed address.

Original story below:

CHILLIWACK — Numerous RCMP officers are involved in an investigation behind Chilliwack’s old Canadian Tire retail store at 7560 Vedder Road. According to witnesses, police cruisers were first spotted in the area late Monday morning.

Local cinema to close

Chilliwack movie theatre to close its doors for good

1h ago

Gas prices spike in Chilliwack

Gas prices spike in Chilliwack

1h ago

Long weekend

Mission mayor warns of disruptive behaviour at area lakes ahead of May long weekend

4h ago

Chilliwack RCMP say Chilliwack RCMP officers along with the Serious Crime Unit are investigating a suspicious occurrence in the area and are asking the public to avoid the scene. The statement says there is no active risk to the public.

Images from the scene appear to show that a black tent has been set up to assist RCMP investigators in their work. Often, police will set up a tent to protect evidence and officers from weather elements during an investigation.

Image: A black tent is set up in the area of the police investigation. / Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

The tent is set up between the building and the railway tracks that run through the area.

As of 2 p.m., a spokeperson for the RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) told Fraser Valley Today that their office has not been contacted about the incident.

This story was updated at 3:20 p.m. with the release of information from Chilliwack RCMP.