A police presence at the Ranchland Villa Motel in Merritt on Dec. 22, 2025. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

By Victor Kaisar

Police Incident

Foul play suspected in death of Merritt woman at Ranchland Villa Motel

Dec 22, 2025 | 12:08 PM

MERRITT — BC RCMP say foul play is suspected in the death of a Merritt woman after a “serious incident” at the Ranchland Villa Motel on Saturday (Dec. 20) evening.

In an update Monday (Dec. 22), RCMP say police officers from Merritt were called to assist BC Emergency Health Services as a woman in her 20s was in medical distress at the motel on the 2000-block of Nicola Avenue.

“The woman, a Merritt resident in her twenties, passed away at the scene from injuries sustained,” BC RCMP spokesperson S/Sgt. Kris Clark said in a statement. “Foul play is suspected, and the Southeast District Major Crime Unit (SED MCU) has taken conduct of the investigation.”

A picture of the scene shared with CFJC showed several police and other emergency vehicles at the motel around 4:00 p.m. Saturday. A police presence was still at the motel when CFJC stopped by on Monday morning.

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Forensic investigators at the Ranchland Villa Motel in Merritt on Dec. 22, 2025. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

A police presence remains at the Ranchland Villa Motel in Merritt on Dec. 22, 2025. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

People with information who have not yet spoken to police are being asked to call the Southeast District Major Crime Unit information line at 1-877-987-8477.