Missing Kwikwetlem First Nation councillor found dead: IHIT
Posted August 16, 2023 11:06 am.
Last Updated August 16, 2023 3:42 pm.
Homicide investigators say the body of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation band council member Stephanie Patterson has been found.
The Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed the 44-year-old’s body was found in a rural area in Mission on Tuesday after a four-day search.
“We wanted to get this information out to you because I know there’s been a lot of speculation about Miss Patterson’s well-being there’s a lot of people out there. Obviously, we’re very concerned for her safety. And tragically, this is where we resulted. We wanted to share that information as soon as we could,” said Sgt. Timothy Pierotti in an update Wednesday.
Police say Patterson was last seen on Friday, Aug. 11 leaving her home on Colony Farm Road and Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam.
Investigators say she was with a 57-year-old man, who was also reported missing at the time.
On Monday, the Coquitlam RCMP announced a man had been arrested in relation to Patterson’s disappearance. IHIT confirmed Wednesday the same man had been arrested again in connection with Patterson’s murder. Investigators have not yet recommended any charges.
IHIT has shared a statement on behalf of the First Nation regarding the band council member’s death.
“At this time, we asked 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. We would like to thank the Coquitlam RCMP for their diligence with this investigation,” the community stated.
