Chilliwack RCMP seek witnesses, dash cam footage after assault victim dies in hospital

The Chilliwack RCMP Serious Crime Unit is asking the public for information as investigators examine whether an earlier assault contributed to the death of a 49-year-old man.

Police said officers were notified on March 7 that the man, who had been assaulted on Feb. 21, died in hospital. According to an RCMP news release, investigators believe the assault may have been a contributing factor in the death and the Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation.

The incident is believed to have occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 along Railway Avenue near Young Road. Police say the victim and another man had been walking westbound from Young Road toward Yale Road before the reported assault.

Investigators are asking anyone who was walking, cycling or driving along Yale Road between downtown Chilliwack and Railway Avenue between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. to contact police if they saw anything unusual, witnessed an altercation, or saw two men walking together in the area.

RCMP are also asking motorists who travelled along the east end of Railway Avenue near Young Road between 11:15 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. to review any dash camera footage. Police say video that captures the sidewalk, boulevard or roadway in that area may help investigators determine what happened.

Anyone with information or relevant dash camera footage is asked to contact Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 and reference file number 2026-9400.