Woman found dead in Oak Bay creek

The body of a woman was found in Bowker Creek Saturday morning by a passerby, Oak Bay Police said.

Police and investigators blocked off Bee Street, at Cadboro Bay Road to the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, from about 9:30 a.m. The body was found in the creek, near the Fort Street and Foul Bay Road intersection.

Deputy Chief Constable Ray Bernoties said officers were working on confirming the woman’s identity and notifying her family. “We take this very seriously. But at this time, we have no reason to suspect foul play,” Bernoties said.

“We believe, [Friday] night, one of our members interacted with [the woman], so we notified the IIO.”

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is a civilian-led body that oversees any injuries and deaths that might involve police. Bernoties did not share the nature of the police member’s contact with the woman.

“Any interaction, regardless of how innocuous, if it happened close to the time of death, the IIO must be notified,” he said, adding the IIO had jurisdiction of the case.

Marten Youssef, public engagement director for the IIO, confirmed investigators had been deployed to the scene.

“We are currently investigating to determine if there is a connection between the actions/inactions of police,” he wrote in an email.

In addition to Oak Bay Police, Saanich Police, forensic officers, the coroner and Oak Bay fire department also attended.

Any information regarding the woman’s identity would be up to the coroner to disclose, Youssef said.