Police have arrested and charged a man with first degree murder after a fire killed a Mission woman.
Walter Ramsey, a 42-year-old man, was located in a residence and taken into custody with the assistance of the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team.
Just after 3 a.m. on April 17, Mission RCMP was called to the 9200 block of Shook Road in Mission after a trailer home went up in flames.
Once fire crews extinguished the blaze, and were able to enter the trailer, the body of a woman was found inside. That woman is believed to be 33-year-old Eleanor Anthonysz.
Two children were taken to hospital as a result of this incident.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in very early in the investigation. IHIT worked with Mission RCMP to determine who they suspected was responsible for Anthonysz’s death.
Ramsey now faces one count of first degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson for allegedly setting the trailer home on fire.
Ramsey has been remanded into custody and will appear in court on Monday April 20.
According to the provincial court database, Ramsey has only one prior charge. He was convicted in August of 2008 of failure or refusal to provide a sample and was prohibited from driving for one year.
“This investigation moved very quickly thanks to the assistance of the public and the excellent work of the Mission RCMP, IHIT investigators and the support units who responded to this tragic incident. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of this Ms. Anthonysz and hope that the speed with which the alleged suspect was apprehended gives them some measure of comfort in the days ahead,” said Superintendent Dwayne McDonald, officer in charge of IHIT.
IHIT is asking anyone who may have information to call the IHIT tipline by calling 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
