VPD believes Marpole killings may be random, tells public to be careful

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Investigators with Vancouver Police are urging people to use caution, to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour after this week’s killing of two people in the city’s Marpole neighbourhood.

On Wednesday, police were called to a home on 64th Avenue near Hudson Street to check on the well-being of two people and when they arrived they discovered their bodies.

The victims are a married couple identified as Dianna Mah-Jones, 65, and Richard Jones, 68. Mah-Jones was an occupational therapist within Vancouver Coastal Health.

Vancouver Coastal Health Statement

“Our deepest sympathies go to her family, friends and colleagues. Dianna was a highly respected and caring occupational therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and Vancouver General Hospital. A compassionate health care professional, she was a much-loved member of the VCH family for 35 years who achieved much in her career.

In 2015 she was named the Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists BC and this past June was honored as the VCH and Provincial Health Care Hero in the annual BC Health Care Awards. Dianna will be remembered as someone who went above and beyond to make a difference for her patients and missed by all who knew her.”

.@VancouverPD Constable Jason Doucette says no motive defined yet for murders of #Marpole couple this week. Not clear yet who was renting their basement as a short-term rental. Asking public to be careful because this might have been a random attack. pic.twitter.com/ZPRAzUD2rK

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) September 29, 2017

“This investigation is a top priority for the VPD,” says Constable Jason Doucette. “We’re looking at all possibilities. At this point we don’t have absolute motive. We can’t say for sure this was a random attack or it was targeted. So, out of an abundance of caution we’re asking the public to remain vigilant [and] report any suspicious activities to police immediately. Let us filter it out, let us decide whether or not something is suspicious, but if you see something that just doesn’t feel right in your gut or you feel your safety is at risk — call 911 immediately.”

Doucette confirms the couple was renting out the home’s basement on a “short-term” basis. “That will form part of the investigation. We’re not sure if the short-term rental was rented out at the time of this incident. Public safety is number one for us. A part of our investigation will surely be to reach out to anyone who may have information, including those responsible for short-term rentals.”

The force’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation and Doucette says members are working around the clock.

One day after the bodies were found, police issued a public appeal in hopes of finding a white Kia Soul that they wanted to check may have had a role in connection to the deaths. The vehicle was found unoccupied just hours after the appeal.

“It came to our attention yesterday that there was a vehicle associated to the residence itself. We had a look around, we didn’t see the vehicle in the area and we still don’t know how the vehicle got to where it was located. It was actually located on Cartier Street near Park Drive,” explains Doucette.

The vehicle was towed away by police as officers scan it for potential evidence and look it over forensically. “The vehicle that was recovered last night is associated to the address. The married couple are also associated to the address.”

The victims are the 14th and 15th homicides so far this year.

Anyone with more information about the deaths is asked to call 604.717.2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.