A 41-year-old woman has been identified as the victim of a homicide in South Surrey last week.
Bo Fan was taken to Peace Arch Hospital by friends and family in the early morning hours of June 17, and later died from injuries consistent with a homicide, Sgt. Frank Jang of IHIT said during a press conference at Green Timbers Wednesday morning (June 24).
Fan, a citizen of China, had been in Canada since February of 2019 and was living in the Grandview Heights area of South Surrey, said Jang.
He would not divulge Fan’s cause of death or confirm where her injuries were sustained, but said it is clear from those injuries that she was a victim of homicide.
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The incident is not considered to have been a random act, he added, however, “there’s still much we need to learn about Ms. Fan and her history.”
Police were in the 2700-block of 168 Street for more than 24 hours June 17-18, in connection with the investigation, and ultimately turned their focus to a home on 27 Avenue.
Jang said investigators “don’t really know” if Fan was a resident of the home, only that she lived “in the area.”
He declined to confirm whether a search warrant that was executed at an Ocean Park home on June 18 was connected to Fan’s case, stating only that the search was related to an ongoing IHIT investigation.
Jang said police are reaching out in particular to the local Chinese community in their efforts to solve Fan’s homicide and learn more about her connection to an organization known as ‘Golden Touch’ and ‘Create Abundance.’
He said police know little about the organization, but believe it is a “self-improvement, wellness organization.” It has local and international ties, he added.
Jang emphasized that police have not uncovered any evidence to link the organization with Fan’s death, but believe there may be those locally who knew Fan, or had dealings with her, through it.
Did you know 41yo Bo Fan? If you did, we want to speak with you. We can communicate in English/Mandarin/Cantonese. Ms. Fan was associated to 'Golden Touch' / 'Create Abundance'. Call us at 1-877-551-4448 or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca pic.twitter.com/XfdYJp39uc
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) June 24, 2020
Jang said the friends and family members who brought Fan to hospital have been co-operative with police. However, police would like to speak with anyone else who knew the victim.
There have been no arrests or charges in the case so far, said Jang.
“Right now, no one’s in custody for her murder and that’s the important thing. We’re working hard to change that, but right now we’re still in our early stages.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. To make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca
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