Vancouver Police renew calls for witnesses to 2021 murder

Almost three and a half years after his murder, police in Vancouver are renewing their calls for witnesses to the July 2021 death of Luis Rosas Saenz to come forward.

The Vancouver Police Department explains that the 24-year-old was stabbed and killed after leaving a house party in the city’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood, along Southwest Marine Drive near West 57th Avenue.

Police were called after a driver saw what they believed was a fight. The perpetrators ran off, but when officers arrived they found Saenz was seriously injured.

Saenz later died of his injuries in hospital.

While police confirm they have identified a suspect, they’re asking for witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to come forward.

“There are people in our community who witnessed this homicide, and others who may have information that could help bring the person responsible for this crime to justice,” Sgt. Steve Addison said. “We’re asking these people to come forward and tell us what they know, so we can obtain answers and accountability in this unsolved case.”

According to police, the victim was leaving a party when he got involved in a verbal fight with a group of people outside the house. Police believe it was then that Saenz was stabbed by one of the people in that group.

“There were eyewitnesses to this stabbing who have yet to come forward and cooperate with this investigation,” added Addison. “Their evidence could be pivotal, and we’re asking them to do the right thing, work with our investigators, and help us solve this case.”

“The suspect is one of the people in that group, and unfortunately the three others have chosen not to cooperate in this investigation. We believe those three people are key witnesses that have first-hand information that could help us solve this case, and their lack of cooperation is impeding this investigation,” he added.

“It’s been three and a half years since this incident occurred. As time passes, relationships change and loyalties change. There may be people who were motivated at the time to protect the person responsible and to stay quiet. We know that those loyalties and relationships may change. In fact, we’re hoping they have and that those people may be more willing to come forward now.”

Anyone with information is being asked to call the VPD’s homicide team at 604-717-2500.