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A B.C. man charged in the homicide of a Belgian tourist near Boston Bar last summer has pleaded guilty.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says Sean McKenzie has pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Amelie Sakkalis.

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Shortly before 8 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2018, Sakkalis’s body was found near Highway 1 north of Boston Bar. IHIT was called in, and less than a month later McKenzie was arrested and charged in connection with the homicide.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19.

Photo by IHIT

IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang says the woman’s murder was a shock to the community and for seasoned investigators.

Sakkalis was a carefree traveller who loved to meet new people. She was killed by McKenzie while on a hitchhiking trip from Penticton to Vancouver on Aug. 22.

Photo by IHIT

The day before she died, Sakkalis posted to a page on Facebook called Le Guide de Croutard looking for a ride to Vancouver. The next day — her last — she posted again looking for a place to stay in the city because the hostels were full. Police say Sakkalis met McKenzie that same day.

McKenzie of Oliver was arrested Sept. 14, 2018. McKenzie doesn’t have a criminal record but travelled extensively throughout B.C. for work. IHIT hasn’t said whether McKenzie is linked to other unsolved murders.

— With files from Randy Shore

ticrawford@postmedia.com