Police have said they believe a homicide victim was hitchhiking from Penticton to Vancouver the day she was found dead

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Belgian tourist, whose body was found near Boston Bar last month.

Amélie Sakkalis was found dead on Aug. 22, 2018 near Highway 1, just north of the community.

“On Sept. 14, 2018, IHIT and its partner agencies arrested 27-year-old Sean McKenzie of Oliver, B.C,” said Cpl. Frank Jang with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

McKenzie was arrested in Oliver.

Police have said they believe Sakkalis, 28, was hitchiking from Penticton to Vancouver the same day she was found dead.

“Investigators have determined that they knew each other only just recently. We don’t believe this was a random incident, but something led up to an altercation between the two, which led to the death of Ms. Sakkalis,” said Jang.

Police have not released the cause of death.

“We are hoping that people who recognize Mr. McKenzie or who saw him on that day on Aug. 22, 2018 — perhaps with Ms. Sakkalis to notify IHIT… We will be supporting the prosecution in this case. We are open to anyone who has information who perhaps may not have yet come forward to police.”

Sean McKenzie, 27, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Belgian tourist Amelie Sakkalis. (Courtesy: IHIT)

McKenzie was initially arrested last month, and was released a short time later. Police will only say investigators have since gathered enough evidence to place him under arrest again and recommend charges.

McKenzie does not have a criminal record and was not previously known to police.

“Amélie’s family is Belgium was notified of the developments in her case and IHIT hopes this will assist them in their healing process.”

McKenzie makes a court appearance in Chilliwack on Wednesday.

– With files from Tim James