Merritt RCMP investigating ‘serious incident’ at Ranchland Villa Motel

Police in Merritt are investigating another serious incident at the Ranchland Villa Motel that happened Saturday (Dec. 20) evening.

Details are limited, but Merritt RCMP say the investigation at the motel on Nicola Avenue has been taken over by the Southeast District Major Crimes Unit.

“They will release more details when feasible,” Merritt RCMP S/Sgt. Josh Roda told CFJC. “The incident is isolated, and the general public is not at risk.”

A picture of the scene shared with CFJC shows several police vehicles on scene at the motel around 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

CFJC has reached out to the Southeast District Major Crimes Unit for more information.

This is the second “serious incident” in Merritt in five days. On Tuesday (Dec. 16), 45-year-old Pamela Jarvis was found with “significant injuries,” which she later succumbed to. Her husband, 49-year-old Christopher Bernard Jarvis, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Christopher is in police custody ahead of his next court appearance scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026.

The Merritt community is rallying around the six Jarvis children, while Pamela is being remembered for her kind nature and for the many close friendships that she formed.

On Saturday, police asked people who have video of the Princeton-Kamloops Highway 5A corridor, Nicola Avenue, or Voght Street between noon and 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 to contact the Major Crime Unit tip line at 1-877-987-8477.