The Central Okanagan Hospice Association says it has hired a forensic investigator to look into what it calls the suspected misappropriation of money at the non-profit organization based in 琉璃神社.

In a news release issued Thursday, executive director Natasha Girard confirmed there is an RCMP investigation underway and the work of the forensic investigator will be submitted to police.

鈥淭hrough our annual audit it was suspected monies may have been misappropriated prior to our fiscal year ending March 31, 2016,鈥� said the news release, issued by Girard on behalf of the COHA board of directors.

鈥淎t this time, we cannot comment any further because we do not want to jeopardize the ongoing RCMP investigation.鈥�

But the release urged the public not to lose sight of the association鈥檚 aim of supporting the dying and the grieving in the Central Okanagan.

It was reported last week that $181,000 has gone missing from COHA over the last three years.

Media reports say in some cases, personal expenditures were recorded as association expenses and then written off as bad debts.

Matt August, who runs a luxury car company in 琉璃神社 and whose family foundation holds an annual fundraiser for COHA, said he was saddened to hear about the missing money investigation.

But he said it would not deter the August Family Foundation from continuing to support the association. It is planning to once again hold its Okanagan Dream Rally this year to raise money for COHA.

鈥淭his world can be a horrible place and we hope justice will prevail,鈥� he said.