A 23-year-old Surrey woman has been charged with second-degree murder in the April 26 death of a 23-year-old Burnaby resident.
Jessica Ashley Hanley of Surrey was arrested the evening of April 26 and appeared in Surrey Provincial Court on Monday afternoon. Hanley does not have a criminal record.
Tashina Rae Sutherland of Burnaby died on April 26 after Surrey RCMP responded just before 5 p.m. to a call at a home in the 10600-block of 138th Street in Surrey.
Police officers and paramedics attended to the scene and provided medical assistance to Sutherland, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It is believed that the victim and suspect have known each other for an extensive amount of time," RCMP integrated homicide investigation team spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Pound said in a press release. "As the matter is before the courts, any further details, including the cause of death, cannot be released."
The front door was still ajar Friday morning as an RCMP cruiser guarded the house, which was behind yellow barricade tape.
A neighbour told the NOW that as far as he knew, three men lived at the house and it was regularly visited by "fancy" cars with boom boxes.
"They were kind of late-nighters," he said. "Like 4 o'clock or 5 o'clock in the morning."
The resident asked that his name not be published.
"I don't want nothing coming through my window," he said. "It's pretty difficult in this area, what we have to put up with."
He said the neighbourhood is rife with squatters, floppers and crack addicts.
In the past two years, he said, there have been two shootings "down the corner," and about three months ago, a police helicopter landed on the street during a drug bust.
But another resident of 138th Street said the house where the homicide took place is not a party place and that the neighbourhood itself is safe to walk in even late at night.
"I can't even begin to explain how exasperating it is to constantly feel the need to defend where I live...kids play hockey on the street, and they dodge balls, not bullets. People jog and walk their dogs all without bullet proof vests."
IHIT is working closely with the Surrey RCMP and the integrated forensic investigation section to put together its case of what happened.
Sutherland's next-of-kin have been notified and an autopsy on her body is scheduled for today, Pound said.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the IHIT tipline by calling 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at [email protected].
People who wish to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.solvecrime.ca.
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