Vancouver police seek help identifying woman who died at Strathcona shelter

Vancouver police are asking for the public’s assistance to identify a woman who died late last month after spending about a week at a shelter in the Strathcona neighbourhood.

According to police, the woman checked into the East Cordova Street shelter overnight between December 20 and December 21, using the name “Lindsay.” She stayed at the facility for seven nights and was found unresponsive in her bed on the evening of December 27. Emergency responders attended, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shelter staff told investigators the woman spoke limited English and was not a familiar or regular visitor to the shelter. Police say there is no indication her death was the result of a criminal act, and she does not appear to have been reported missing.

The woman is believed to be Asian and between 65 and 75 years old. Police describe her as approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 110 pounds, with short grey hair and distinctive tattooed eyebrows.

Vancouver police say identifying the woman is important to notify family members and better understand her circumstances. Anyone who recognizes her or has information is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department’s Missing Person Unit at 604-717-2530.