Murder investigation launched, vigil planned after missing woman found dead in Nanaimo
Nanaimo RCMP say a homicide investigation is underway after a missing woman was found dead in the downtown area earlier this month.
The body of Amy Watts, 27, was discovered in a small wooded area near the intersection of Albert Street and Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo on June 3.
Watts was reported missing by family members on May 27, before her body was discovered roughly one week later.
Now, Mounties say that the Nanaimo RCMP serious crime unit has taken charge of the investigation.
Police say no arrests have been made yet, but officers are "fully engaged and are actively pursuing all investigative steps," according to Const. Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
"This has been a difficult journey," Watts' mother, Janice Coady, told CTV News on Wednesday.
"She was my only child. We've had a long and beautiful road through this together," she said.
Friends of the Watts family have planned a candlelight vigil at the parking lot of Nanaimo City Hall on Wednesday evening.
The vigil is planned for 8:30 p.m. and attendees are asked to wear masks and bring their own candles in cups or other mementos.
Watt's mother has travelled to Nanaimo from Prince Edward Island to attend the vigil and bring her daughter's belongings home.
"On behalf of Amy’s mother, Janice Coady, family, friends, and loved ones, it is with my deepest regret, and honor, to invite anyone and everyone in the community of Nanaimo to join them in a candlelight vigil to honor, grieve, and bring love to their beloved Amy," wrote organizer Dee Vickberg in a social media post Monday.
"To respect city hall and the neighbouring vicinity we will have to remove all flowers left within a day," Vickberg added. "If you leave trinkets or stuffed animals they will have to be removed, and will be gifted to Amy’s beautiful mother, Janice."
Organizers say a microphone will also be at the vigil if anyone wishes to share stories, and Vickberg encourages any musicians to play if they would like to.
Former Nanaimo councillor Gord Fuller says he knew Watts well and that the pair worked together on homeless outreach programs in 2015 and 2016.
Fuller says she was also an Indigenous youth outreach worker who worked with the Nanaimo Youth Services Association.
"She was a promising young girl and the system failed her," Fuller said Wednesday.
He says that Watts struggled with mental health and addictions challenges, and even though she was in treatment several times, she fell through the cracks of the public support system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.