Homicide investigators have identified the body of a murdered man found sprawled in a muddy field in rural Abbotsford on Sunday.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the victim is 31-year-old Jimmy Chau of Edmonton, Alberta.

"An autopsy has been completed and although the cause of death will not be released, I can tell you the injuries are consistent with a homicide," said IHIT spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Pound in a press release Wednesday.

"Mr. Chau is known to police and at this time this appears to be a targeted and gang-related homicide."

Chau's body was discovered in a field by a passing motorist in the 33600 block of Farmer Road in Abbotsford around 9:20 a.m. Sunday.

Residents of the rural area said officers and a police dog spent Sunday scouring a raspberry field on the north side of Farmer Road close to the intersection with McCallum Road.

Chau is Abbotsford's second murder victim of 2012.

IHIT continues to investigate and is asking anyone with information about this homicide to come forward, said Pound.

- Contact the IHIT tiplines by calling 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.