VANCOUVER – Vancouver police are investigating the death of a woman who fell from a window at a Downtown Eastside hotel, the same place where another woman died a year ago in similar circumstances.
Const. Jana McGuinness said several people called 911 at about 8 p.m. Friday after the body of Verna Simard was discovered on the sidewalk.
McGuinness said Simard, 50, lived in a suite at the Regent Hotel.
Police have interviewed numerous witnesses and are appealing for others to come forward.
“We have not been able to confirm anyone so far who actually saw her fall to the sidewalk,” McGuinness said. “There are reports that a scream was heard and we are just looking to verify who heard that and where they heard it.”
Investigators have also spoken with Simard’s longtime boyfriend, who was in the woman’s suite when she fell, McGuinness said.
Police have yet to conclude the case of Ashley Machiskinic, 22, who fell from a window at the same hotel on Sept. 15, 2010.
“It’s a raw wound in the community,” McGuinness said. “Ashley’s death is remembered by all who knew her and all who lived down there.”
The Vancouver Police Board recently renewed a $ 10,000 reward for information in that case.
McGuinness said Machiskinic’s death prompted the Vancouver Police Department to start the Sister Watch program to build trust with residents in the Downtown Eastside so they can report any incidents of violence against women.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
About The Reporter
