RCMP have yet to release the name, but say the body found Tuesday in a pullout beside Willowbrook Road is that of a 27-year-old male from Kelowna.
They have also now ruled that he was the victim of an apparent homicide.
Investigators cannot comment on the cause of death nor the identity of the victim until the autopsy is complete. The autopsy is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2017.
The body was discovered on Jan. 17, in a rural area near the intersection of Willowbrook and White Lake Roads.
More: RCMP says body found near Willowbrook suspicious
Investigators from the Southeast District Major Crime Unit, Police Dog Services and the Forensic Identification Unit were called to assist with the investigation and spent at least three days on the scene.
At 6:45 a.m. the same morning, an abandoned pickup truck was located on fire outside of Kaleden along Hwy 3A. The RCMP have determined this truck was stolen from West Kelowna on Jan. 6, 2017. Although the RCMP continue to investigate this stolen truck because of its proximity to the deceased, at this point, it is unknown if there is a connection between these incidents.
If you have information about this incident, contact the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300 and cite file 2017-0705 or if you wish to remain anonymous Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or www.sostips.ca.