RCMP are treating the death of a young woman whose body was discovered in a small wooded ravine in downtown Nanaimo as a homicide.
The body of 27-year-old Amy Watts was discovered by police on June 3 near the intersection of Albert Street and Victoria Crescent. Her family reported her missing on May 27.
The Nanaimo RCMP serious crime unit has overall responsibility for the investigation. Officers spoke with her family last week and gave them an update on the investigation, Const. Gary O鈥橞rien said Wednesday.
鈥淧olice are fully engaged and actively pursuing all investigative steps,鈥� he said.
The B.C. Coroners Service is also investigating. A forensic autopsy was completed last week. To date, no arrests have been made.
O鈥橞rien would not say if police have a suspect.
鈥淲hat I can say is it鈥檚 a very aggressive investigation,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have a lot of investigators involved. There are video cameras to be reviewed, witness statements, forensic evidence. It鈥檚 all coming together quite nicely.鈥�
A candlelight vigil was scheduled for Wednesday evening outside Nanaimo City Hall.
In a Facebook post, vigil organizer Dee Vickberg invited everyone in Nanaimo to join family and friends 鈥渢o honour, grieve and bring love to their beloved Amy.鈥�
She said Watts鈥� mother, Janice Coady, travelled from PEI to attend the vigil and would be speaking on behalf of her daughter.
