Suspect in Chilliwack double homicide found dead, police say

Investigatorssay the man who was the subjectof a public warning and police manhunt in the Chilliwack, B.C., area after a fatal shooting last Thursdayhas been found dead.

The body of Eric John Shestalo was found Monday near Bridal Falls, east of the Fraser Valley city. Preliminary findings indicate he died by suicide, policesaid.

"An autopsy is pending and the investigation is continuing," read a statement from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Tuesday.

Police launched an extensive search for Shestalo, 50, after a shooting in Chilliwack on Thursday that left two women dead and one man injured.

On Saturday, police said they had located Shestalo'sred and yellow Jeep YJ atBridal Falls. Prior to the discovery, policehad warnedthe public to exercise caution if they spotted Shestalo,to call 911and notapproach him.

Victims identified

RCMP said Shestalo and the victims knew each other, but did not specify how.

The dead women have been identifiedas Amber Culley, 43, and Mimi Kates, 49.

Culley's family issued a statement through IHITon Tuesday.

"She was the most loving, generous, compassionate andbrave human being we have ever known," it read.

"We will miss her madly but we will never let a murderer put out her bright light or destroy our little boys' lives. Her children were her world."

The statement did not say how many children Culley had.

Reassuring the public

With several shootings across southwest B.C. in recent weeks, McDonald said he wanted to reassureBritish Columbiansthat police are there to protect them. He alsothanked members of the public who came forward with information that helped advance different police investigations.

"As a father and as a spouse, I have the same questions that you do," he said at a news conference Monday.

"'Am I safe? What are the police doing? And can I trust them?'

"I want to assure you that the RCMP ... are committed not only to keeping you safe but in apprehending those responsible for these crimes."

McDonald said the recent incidents are a "stark reminder" of the danger police officers face.

"Whether it's engaging and stopping a vehicle with suspects fleeing a violent and targeted homicide, responding to an active shooter event and stopping that threat, or searching for an armed homicide suspect in a remote wooded area, our police officers are here for you," he said.