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Amelie Sakkalis Identified As Belgian Hitchhiker Found Dead In B.C.

Sean McKenzie has been charged with first-degree murder.
Amelie Christelle Sakkalis was visiting Canada from Belgium at the time of her death, said police.
RCMP
Amelie Christelle Sakkalis was visiting Canada from Belgium at the time of her death, said police.

UPDATE - Sept. 19, 2018: Sean McKenzie of Oliver, B.C. has been charged with first-degree murder, police announced. They released his photo in hopes that anyone who saw the suspect with Amelie Sakkalis on Aug. 22, 2018 will come forward to speak with them.

McKenzie, 27, does not have a criminal record, and travels extensively through the province "for work," said IHIT spokesman Cpl. Frank Jang at a news conference.

Sean McKenzie of Oliver, B.C. has been charged with first-degree murder.
IHIT
Sean McKenzie of Oliver, B.C. has been charged with first-degree murder.

Police in B.C. are looking for anyone who may have seen a Belgian hitchhiker who was found dead last month.

RCMP released the identity of Amelie Christelle Sakkalis, 28, on Wednesday. Sakkalis was visiting from Belgium and investigators believe she was hitchhiking from the Penticton area on Aug. 22 and heading to Vancouver.

That night, RCMP were called for a "suspicious occurrence" north of Boston Bar near Highway 1. Police arrived to find Sakkalis' body and determined that she had been killed. They arrested a man at the scene but he was later released from custody.

Police have not revealed how she died.

Public plea for witnesses

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which is investigating the death, made a public plea on Wednesday for anyone who gave Sakkalis a ride between Penticton and Boston Bar on Aug. 22 to contact them.

"Amelie's family has been notified of her murder and we urge anyone with information to come forward immediately to help provide answers," said Cpl. Frank Jang in a news release.

Police seized a van in relation to the Amelie Sakkalis homicide case.
RCMP
Police seized a van in relation to the Amelie Sakkalis homicide case.

Police had seized a white 1994 Chevrolet Astro van near the crime scene, believed to be associated to the homicide.

If you have information in the case, call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or by email them, said Jang.

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