Homicide investigators are on the scene in North Vancouver after police say a woman and child fell to their deaths from a Lower Lonsdale apartment balcony.
Police were called to the 100 block of East Esplanade just after 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
“Officers arrived and located two females suffering from injuries sustained from the fall. First responders, including fire and BC Ambulance Service, immediately began lifesaving measures. Sadly, the two females were later pronounced deceased,” a release issued Tuesday afternoon stated.
An update from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which has been called in to join the North Vancouver RCMP’s serious crimes unit, confirmed the victims are a woman and a school-aged girl.
“Police believe the two were known to one another and are not looking for any other suspects at this time,” said Cpl. Esther Tupper, IHIT spokesperson. “There is no ongoing risk to the public and this is an isolated incident.”
Investigators specified they would not be releasing any further information on Tuesday. IHIT, the RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section and the BC Coroners Service are all involved in working to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic event, the release stated.
As of Tuesday afternoon, one of the west-facing balconies on the eighth or ninth floor of the Premier Building at 138 East Esplanade was covered in a blue tarp and numerous police vehicles were parked in the area.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or contact the team by email at [email protected].
Acknowledging other people may be impacted by the tragic incident, the RCMP are making their victim services unit available at 604-969-7540.
