IIO is Investigating a Death in Merritt (2025-293)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating the death of a woman in Merritt following an investigation by members of the Merritt RCMP.

Information provided by an advocacy agency raised questions regarding a December 2025 police investigation undertaken into alleged intimate partner violence that took place prior to a woman’s death. The RCMP has provided information that the investigation occurred over a period of time prior to the death, and they report that the last contact occurred several days before her murder.

The woman died on December 16, 2025, and a man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with her death.

The IIO began an investigation shortly after the notification was received.

There are two factors that the IIO considers at the beginning of each investigation:

1. If there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act, or a death; and
2. If there is a connection between the serious harm/death and officer action or inaction.

If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.

The IIO asks that any witnesses who has information regarding this matter to please contact the IIO at our Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

Background

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of officers and detention guards in British Columbia. It investigates all incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

info@iiobc.ca