UPDATE: RCMP confirm man found dead in Salmo is the suspect from Wednesday's double homicide

(UPDATE: Jan. 7 @ 3:45 pm) - The RCMP has now confirmed that the man allegedly responsible for a double homicide in Creston on Wednesday night is the man who was found dead in Salmo this morning.

It was suspected earlier, but investigators and the BC Coroners Service have now determined that the dead man is in fact the one who officers were searching for in connection the the Creston murders.

"We can appreciate this is not the outcome the victims’ families may have hoped for but we hope this news brings them comfort in their grief," said S/Sgt. Scott Ashenbrenner.

Emergency responders were called to a Hwy 3 pullout near Summit Creek Bridge around 7 pm Wednesday after receiving reports of a man and woman in need of immediate assistance.

Both suspects were stabbed by a man who reportedly fled the scene in one of the victim's vehicles.

The victim's vehicle was recovered near Salmo, which led to the discovery of the man's body near a Salmo motel.

The BC Coroners Service is continuing its investigation into the man's death, but criminality isn't expected.

The names of the two victims or the suspect will not be identified by police at this time.

(UPDATE: Jan. 7 @ 11:40 am): Mounties in the Kootenays are "alive to the possibility" that a man found dead at a motel is linked to a double murder investigation in Creston.

The man was found dead at about 9:40 am in Salmo.

He was near an electrical shed at a motel, police said.

"While we have yet to confirm this man is connected to the ongoing homicide investigation we are certainly alive to the possibility. We are working closely with the BC Coroners Service to identify him which will aid in making that determination," said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

Police said they do not believe there is any risk to the public.

"We understand there is significant interest in both investigations, however we ask the public avoid the area, to allow the investigation into the man’s death to continue," added Cpl. O'Donaghey.

(Original story: Jan. 7 @ 8:35 am): Officers have been sent from Kelowna to investigate after a man and woman were stabbed to death in the Kootenays.

A man – considered a murder suspect – is still on the run following the incident on Jan. 6 in Creston.

Police and medics were called to a Hwy 3 pullout near the Summit Creek Bridge at about 7 pm.

A 40-year-old man from Calgary and a 25-year-old woman from West Kootenay were found stabbed.

The suspect had taken a vehicle associated with one of the victims.

The male victim, who was in a “grave” state, died at the scene; the woman died in hospital.

“This investigation is in its infancy, as major crime investigators and forensic specialists deploy to the area to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence,” said S/Sgt. Scott Aschenbrenner, unit commander of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit.

“Investigators have reason to believe the suspect and the victims were known to one another.”

Mounties have since located and recovered the victim’s stolen vehicle in the area of Salmo.

The vehicle remains part of the ongoing criminal investigation, police said.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Creston RCMP at 250-428-9313.