17.25°C Vancouver

Feb 27, 2020 5:27 PM -

Search and rescue to join police looking for woman in New Westminster B.C.

Share On
search-and-rescue-to-join-police-looking-for-woman-in-new-westminster-b-c
44-year-old New Westminster resident Nirla Sharma is seen in this undated police handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, New Westminster Police

Search and rescue team members say they have been called to take part in a search for a woman missing from her home in New Westminster, east of Vancouver.

The team, from Coquitlam, says in a social media post that members have been asked to assist the New Westminster Police Department in the search for Nirla Sharma.

Police say the 44-year-old was last seen on Sunday as she went to bed and is believed to have left her home Monday when a family member heard the front door chime at about 4 a.m.

New Westminster's major crime unit is now involved in the case and Sgt. Jeff Scott says anyone with dashcam footage taken in the city's Queensborough neighbourhood between midnight Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday is urged to speak with police.

Sharma is believed to have been wearing pink pyjamas and a pink T-shirt when she was last seen but police say she may also be wearing a black jacket with a hood and orange Nike shoes.

She is described as South Asian, 5-foot-3, with a slim build, short, dark hair and several tattoos, including an OM symbol on her left arm and a crown on her right wrist.

Scott says Sharma did not arrive at work, as usual, Monday morning and he says fears for her safety increase as the days go by.

"We are very concerned for Mrs. Sharma because she has not shown up for work, and there are no obvious reasons why she left at 4:00 am," Scott says.

"She left without telling anyone, and did not take any of her personal belongings, which is out of character for her."

Thursday's search was expected focus on the Queensborough neighbourhood, around Sharma's home in Lawrence Street and Ewen Avenue area.

Latest news

canadas-dabrowski-and-partner-routliffe-win-u-s-open-womens-doubles-title
EnglishSep 05, 2025

Canada's Dabrowski and partner Routliffe win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski has won the US Open Grand Slam title with her New Zealand partner Erin Rutliff. The Canadian player won the women's doubles title in straight sets with her partner. Together, the two defeated the pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski also won the US Open title in 2023. Pawan Sahni, of Newton Tennis Club in Surrey, says “the win is a boost for Canadian tennis.” He added, on one hand, just a few weeks ago, young player Victoria Mboko won the Canadian Open title, and now, with Canada's senior player win
BCSep 05, 2025

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s
police-investigate-early-morning-shots-fired-in-south-surrey
CanadaSep 05, 2025

Police Investigate Early Morning Shots Fired in South Surrey

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting that occurred in South Surrey. On September 5, 2025, at approximately 3:50 am, SPS responded to reports of shots fired in the 14300 block of 28 Avenue, Surrey. Upon arrival, members located numerous shell casings on 28 Avenue. It does not appear that any residences were damaged and nobody was injured. SPS Frontline Investigation Support (FLIS) Team are attending and have taken conduct of the investigation. Investigators believe this incident is related to an ongoing extortion investigation.
ministers-statement-on-the-cowichan-valley-transit-labour-dispute
BCSep 05, 2025

Special mediator appointed to resolve Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement on the Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute: “This strike has been deeply disruptive to people living in the Cowichan Valley, who rely on transit to get to work, go to school, attend medical appointments and access everyday services. “This dispute has gone on for far too long. There’s a real urgency for the parties to get back to the table, find a fair resolution and get transit services back on the road. “To help the parties resolve the ongoing labour dispute, I have appointed Vince Ready as a special mediato
elon-musks-neuralink-brain-chip-implanted-into-two-quadriplegic-canadian-patients
CanadaSep 05, 2025

Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implanted into two quadriplegic Canadian patients

Two Canadian patients with spinal cord injuries have received Neuralink brain implants that have allowed them to control a computer with their thoughts. They are part of the first clinical trial outside of the United States to test the safety and effectiveness of Elon Musk's Neuralink wireless brain chip, which he introduced to the public in 2020, and was first implanted in a paralyzed American in 2024. The Canadian men, both around 30 years old – one from Ontario, the other from Alberta – have limited or no ability to use their hands. Dr. Andres Lozano, a neurosurgeon at University Health

Related News