Update:
Staff Sergeant Danny Charest with the Timmins Police Service spoke Monday afternoon to the media.
“These people are unaccounted for and people will make, certainly make, some inferences here, but we cannot identify anybody as being these deceased persons until they are identified forensically through proper means by the Coronor's office." said Sergeant Charest in relation to the names released.
The police are looking for information about a local family who they say are connected to the suspicious vehicle fire.
"The vehicle in question, that was found burned at the scene, is registered to one of the four people we've named here today and that's where that link has been made on an investigative point of view." said Charest.
This is why police believe public safety is not at risk and this is not linked to organized crime.
Officers say they continue to liaise with a local family they believe to be related to this incident.
Meanwhile, the Timmins Police Forensic Investigations Division is also processing a local home.
Original:
It's the talk of Timmins right now.
An update from police is expected Monday afternoon after four bodies were found in a burned out car on Friday.
Timmins police have confirmed the vehicle in question, a green or blue 2004 Chrysler Intrepid, was registered to a Timmins resident.
All four bodies, along with the car itself are on route to Toronto for forensic identification.
Police say the family of the car owner has been identified and notified in preparation for forensic identification, saying the names of all four victims will be released as soon as possible.
Marc Depatie is the Community Liaison Officer for Timmins Police Service.
"The vehicle is owned by a person from this region. It’s fair to say Timmins, yes from the City of Timmins." said Depatie.
Police say the vehicle's owner was not someone known to them prior to Friday’s fatal fire call and there were no reports about the vehicle being in the area, until word of the blaze reached officers.
"The initial call was a burnt out vehicle. So, we assumed that it was more than likely just a stolen vehicle from some thrill seekers who chose to set the vehicle on fire afterwards. Obviously, that turned into a more demanding set of investigative circumstances." said Depatie.
Fire suppression was not needed when officers arrived at the scene around 6 pm Friday evening.
He says there was no indication something like this would happen.
"There was no reported missing persons to the Timmins Police Service in relation to this event." said Depatie.
As rumours spread throughout the community, police are quick to say there is no risk to public safety.
"We don't believe that this is the act of somebody who will re-offend. This is an isolated incident where there is a significant loss of life. This is a benchmark occurrence for the Timmins Police Service." said Depatie.
In the wake of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy, where two people were misidentified by the coroner, police are reluctant to offer the identities of the victims before forensic confirmation. Depatie says the names could be released by Monday, but as officers begin to piece together what happened, Timmins Police renew their call for any and all information that might relate to this incident.
Police have released the scene.
Police clarify that human remains of four deceased people were found at the scene, three were inside the vehicle and one was located outside of the vehicle, nearby.
Police have released a statement saying the identites of the victims remain unconfirmed and post-mortem examinations are scheduled for later this week.
They are, however, seeking public assistance with information and sightings of the vehicle and the following people from Timmins, leading up to and including Friday, April 20th:
- Joey Gagnon, 37
- Tammy Gagnon (Robitaille), 34
- Cole Gagnon, 16
- Brandy Gagnon, 14
If you have information that is relevant to this investigation, please contact Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201 or Crime Stoppers at 705-268-8477.
