IIO is Seeking Witnesses to the Death of One Woman in Vancouver (2024-156)
Case: 2024-156 Incident Date: July 14, 2024 Detachment: Nanaimo Agency: RCMP Location: Vancouver Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportSurrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is seeking witnesses to the death of one woman in Vancouver on July 14, 2024.
Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department states that shortly after 6 a.m., police were called to a report of a body in the water near Granville Island. When officers arrived, they located the body of the affected person (AP) in the water near a boat dock. The AP was deceased after apparently falling from the Granville Bridge.
The Grey Toyota Matrix with British Columbia licence plates registered to the AP was later located with hazard lights activated parked in the southbound lanes of the bridge near the exit to West 4th Avenue.
It was later learned that members of the RCMP on Vancouver Island were called to conduct wellness checks on the AP on July 13 and spoke with her prior to her leaving the island that day.
Investigators would like to speak to anyone who saw the AP or her vehicle prior to her entering the water on the evening of Saturday, July 13 or the morning of Sunday, July 14.
The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm the timeline surrounding the AP’s whereabouts in the leadup to her death as well as whether police action or inaction played a role in her death.
The IIO is asking any person who saw the arrest or who has video footage to please contact the IIO 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 the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.