Port Moody marina death deemed ‘suspicious’

The Port Moody Police Department (PMPD) says a homicide investigation is underway after a woman was found dead in a marina off Barnet Highway on New Year’s Day.

The death of the woman — believed to have been in her 60s — had initially been investigated by the PMPD’s crime investigation team, which is now being called “suspicious.”

“The circumstances surrounding the death have been deemed suspicious and criminality cannot be ruled out at this time,” the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said Saturday.

“As part of its mandate, IHIT has assumed the conduct of the investigation and investigators are in the area canvassing for witnesses and video surveillance.”

Police say the woman’s body had been spotted by a passerby in the waters near the Reed Point Marina around 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. At the time, officers said there was no indication she may have died by suicide.

The death is believed to be an isolated incident with no further risk to the public, IHIT says. The victim is not being identified out of respect for her family’s privacy.

Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT says they are looking for dashcam footage and want to speak with anyone in the area of Reed Point Marina between 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 1.

“Dashcam video would be especially helpful and we are asking you to contact IHIT as soon as possible,” he said.

Anyone with information, including dashcam footage, is asked to call the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc-ca.

With files from Charlie Carey.