HOMICIDE investigators have released a composite sketch of a woman whose badly decomposed remains were found stashed in Lower Capilano last month.
The unidentified victim was discovered near a gravel path in a wooded area just west of North Vancouver's Capilano Road Aug. 19 after police went to investigate a foul smell that had been reported in the area by neighbours. The body, which may have been there for as long as a year, according to investigators, had disintegrated to the point that it was unrecognizable. When it became clear that the corpse had been deliberately concealed, North Vancouver RCMP turned the case over to the Lower Mainland's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which has since been treating it as a murder.
At a media event Wednesday, the unit's Sgt. Jennifer Pound revealed a hand-drawn reconstruction of the woman's face, which she said was intended to give a rough idea of the victim's appearance.
The woman, believed to be somewhere in her mid-20s to early 40s, was between five feet two inches and five feet six inches tall with a small frame and shoulder length, wavy black hair. A forensic examination of the body revealed visible dental work and discolouration on her front teeth as well as evidence of a significant lower-back injury that the woman likely suffered months or years before her death. The injury may have required a visit to the emergency room, several days of bed rest and possibly even a back brace, said police.
The victim was wearing black VS Miss brand skinny jeans and medium-brown slip-on Adidas shoes at the time of her death, said Pound. The jeans and the shoes were likely bought in Europe or on line, she said.
Police don't believe the woman was ever reported missing, said Pound, leading IHIT to turn to the public for help. "Somewhere out there is a family waiting for this young women to come home," said Pound, in a release. "We need the public to help us identify her and assist investigators in moving this investigation forward."
Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1877551-4448.
