A body found on a forestry road east of Hope was apparently the victim of foul play and the death is being treated as a homicide, police say.

"We've made a preliminary identification of the victim, however we are not able to confirm that identification," said Cpl. Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

The body was discovered by a local resident walking his dog on the forestry service road near American Creek on Thursday morning, Carr said.

He did not say if the body was that of a man or a woman, but said the victim was not known to police..

Carr said an autopsy would be performed next week.