Image: Coquitlam RCMP / The body of 44-year-old Stephanie Patterson, a Kwikwetlem First Nation band council member, has been located in a rural area of Mission, according to a news release Wednesday (Aug. 16). A man has been arrested for murder in connection with Patterson's disappearance.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Body of missing Coquitlam woman found

Body of missing Coquitlam woman discovered in Mission

Aug 16, 2023 | 3:46 PM

MISSION — The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team of BC says it has located the body of Kwikwetlem First Nation band council member Stephanie Patterson.

According to a news release, IHIT was dispatched on Tuesday, August 15 after the body of the 44-year-old woman was discovered in a rural area of Mission following a four-day search.

Last week Friday, August 11, Patterson was reported missing to the Coquitlam RCMP. She was last seen at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 11, leaving her residence located near Colony Farm Road and Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam. At the time, she was with a 57-year-old man.

On Monday, August 14, Mounties in Coquitlam arrested a man in connection to the disappearance of Patterson.

IHIT has taken custody of the investigation and is working closely with the Coquitlam RCMP detachment, Mission RCMP detachment, BC Coroners Service and the RCMP Integrated Forensic Identification Section.

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“This tragic event has effected the entire community. Anyone in need of support is encouraged to reach out to the Coquitlam RCMP’s Victim Services,” said Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “I would like to commend the Coquitlam RCMP for their excellent work on this investigation. It’s a result of their tireless work and dedication that they were able to locate and arrest a suspect so efficiently.”

The First Nation community in Coquitlam expressed profound grief over Patterson’s death.

“At this time we ask for respect and privacy for the family in their grief and suffering as we heal together as a community. We ask the public and media to also respect our space and land as we continue on our healing journey,” said Chief Giesbrecht and Councillor Chaffee from kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation. “We would like to thank the Coquitlam RCMP for their diligence with this investigation.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Body of missing Coquitlam woman discovered in Mission

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