Two found dead in rundown Richmond home
A man and woman living in a rundown Richmond house were found dead early Monday of apparent gunshot wounds. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is working with forensic specialists and Richmond RCMP major-crime investigators on the case.
Cpl. Frank Jang said local Mounties were called to the house in the 6600-block of Eckersley Road about 2:30 a.m. after neighbours heard gunshots. “When officers arrived they found two adult victims inside the home — a man and a woman,” he told reporters at the scene. “It is very early in the investigation but we believe this was a targeted incident.”
He said the man and woman lived in the house and have a history with police. Investigators have tentatively identified them but were contacting their relatives before releasing their names.
The house, owned by Regal Investments Ltd., is surrounded by newer condominium developments. It is one of several in poor repair in the middle of the block, across from a park and an elementary school. The house next door is boarded up.
The investment company, which lists a single director named Wei Cong Lai as president, purchased the house on March 31, 2016, for $1,798,000. The property is assessed this year at $2.24 million.
Jang said while it’s disturbing to have a double murder so near to a school and park, residents have no reason to fear.
“So early this morning at 2:30, the school was not open fortunately, thankfully,” Jang said.
He said the fact the murder happened inside the house means a lot of work for “our forensic specialists.”
“With indoor crime scenes, they can be very complicated,” he said. “Just because it is an enclosed space, there could be a lot of forensic evidence, blood, bodily fluids.”
He said the forensic experts could be at the house for days. “Our investigators will not be leaving the scene until we are absolutely satisfied we have collected all the physical evidence.”
Jang didn’t provide details of how the couple is known to police and whether officers had previously been called to the house. Nor could he comment on whether there was evidence of a forced entry.
He said investigators are hoping anyone with information will contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
A neighbour of the home approached an officer standing at the police tape to express concern over what had happened.
“You guys knocked at my door at 3:30 in the morning,” she told the officer, before asking if it was safe for herself and her child to return home.
He told her to talk to the media officer or call the detachment if she has any concerns.