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Burnaby woman who died after a crash on Barnet Highway was the victim of a homicide, police say

Police are trying to piece together the events that led to the killing of Burnaby woman last week. On Friday, Nov. 16, first responders were called to the 8000-block of Barnet Highway around 10 p.m.
crash victim
Police released this photo of the victim, who has been identified as Nicole Hasselmann, a 34-year-old Burnaby resident.

Police are trying to piece together the events that led to the killing of Burnaby woman last week.

On Friday, Nov. 16, first responders were called to the 8000-block of Barnet Highway around 10 p.m. after a SUV hit two light posts and crashed into the ditch. When police arrived at the scene they found a man unconscious inside the vehicle. There was also a woman lying nearby who appeared to have been thrown from the vehicle during the crash, according to a press release.

The pair was taken to hospital where the woman eventually died of her injuries.

Burnaby RCMP initially reported that the crash was suspicious and that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team had been deployed to help investigate.

Police have since confirmed that the woman’s injuries were “indicative of foul play,” according to the release.

The victim has been identified as Nicole Hasselmann, a 34-year-old Burnaby resident (other media outlets had identified the victim as Nicole Porciello, and police have confirmed she went by both last names).

barnet crash
A portion of Barnet Highway in Burnaby was closed for nearly 12 hours after a fatal crash on Friday night. - Shane MacKichan

IHIT is asking for the public’s help to develop a timeline of Hasselmann’s activities leading up to the crash. They are asking that anyone who may have seen her on Friday in Burnaby in the 7000-block of Ridgeview Dr., the 8000-block of Barnet Highway or in Port Moody in the 200-block of College Park Way to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. 

“The development of the victim’s timeline is important in any homicide investigation and it is proving to be crucial in this case,” IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Frank Jang said in the release.

People who may have seen the vehicle Hasselmann was in at any of these locations are also asked to contact police. The vehicle involved in Friday’s crash is described as a 2017 charcoal grey Kia Sorento SUV.

The driver’s identity has not been released, but police say he and Hasselmann knew each. He remains in hospital but is expected to make a full recovery, according to police.