Death of Lumby woman being investigated by IIO after police interaction in 2023
Posted May 24, 2024 11:12 am.
Last Updated May 25, 2024 12:01 pm.
The death of a Lumby woman who was allegedly abducted before her body was found in April is now being investigated by the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO).
In a statement released last month, the RCMP confirmed that Mounties in the North Okanagan located Tatjana Stefanski’s body during the process of investigating the abduction.
The IIO confirmed the investigation Friday morning, saying the 44-year-old woman had previously had an interaction with RCMP officers just a few months before her death.
“Information provided by the RCMP states that in December 2023, the Lumby and Vernon detachments received a report indicating concern for the safety of a woman,” the IIO said in a statement, “The woman was subsequently located deceased on April 14, 2024.”
The IIO is called in anytime there is a death or serious injury of a civilian during or after a police interaction. The independent body then determines what, if any, role police played in the incident.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CITYNEWS 1130 LIVE!“Given the complexity of all investigations into this matter, no further information will be provided at this time,” the IIO stated.
At the time Stefanski’s body was found, police said, “A male believed to be involved in this death was arrested in the general vicinity. The Southeast District Major Crime Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation and believe[s] that the female’s death is the result of foul play.”
The suspect was freed with conditions, police say.
The RCMP has previously stated Stefanski was last seen on April 13 with her ex-husband before “departing unexpectedly” with him in a black Audi.
–With files from The Canadian Press
Editors note: The IIO did not confirm the name of the victim, but the details match the case of Tatjana Stefanski.
