Victims identified in Lower Mainland homicide cases
We’re learning more about two homicides that took place in the Lower Mainland within 24 hours this week.
On Tuesday, homicide investigators were called to two separate scenes — one in North Vancouver and one in Chilliwack. In each case, one person was killed.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the victim in North Vancouver as 68-year-old Domingo Santos. Santos was found with a stab wound and eventually succumbed to her injuries after the RCMP arrived on scene.
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A suspect was arrested shortly after and identified as Santos’ nephew, 46-year-old Anthony Del Rosario. He was charged with second-degree murder.
Sgt. Timothy Pierotti says a motive remains unclear.
“We’re in the area canvassing and speaking to neighbors, trying to learn as much as we can about Ms. Santos as well as Mr. Del Rosario,” explained Pierotti
Meanwhile, IHIT has also identified the person killed in Chilliwack. Thirty-four year-old Michael D’Lerma was found in an apartment with gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
IHIT says 34-year-old Michael D’Lerma died in hospital from multiple gunshot wounds. (Courtesy: IHIT)
No suspect has been identified in the shooting of D’Lerma, but a burned-out car was found nearby. Investigators are still determining whether it was related.
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Pierotti says IHIT is fairly certain D’Lerma’s murder was targeted.
“This was not a situation where we believe someone’s out there randomly hurting people. This was something that was intended to happen by the suspects. We’re working towards determining whether it was premeditated.”
Related links:
- One dead in Mission stabbing; IHIT called in
- Fatal Chilliwack shooting appears to be targeted: police
IHIT doesn’t believe the two homicides were directly related, but they aren’t ruling out gang activity.
“When we hear that someone is involved in the gang life or in drug trade, something like that, we still want to determine whether the actual offence was related to that or whether it was just an independent thing that happened, that had nothing to do with that lifestyle,” said Pierotti.
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IHIT also provided more information about a homicide in Mission that took place Wednesday morning.
Anyone with information about any of these cases is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
