THE BC Prosecution Service on Saturday approved one count of second-degree murder against 33-year-old George Dragnea of Richmond in the death of a 51-year-old woman.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said that information to date indicates this was an isolated incident involving only the accused and the deceased who were in a relationship; therefore, there is no ongoing risk to the public. Neither parties had police history related to intimate partner violence.

On Friday, July 18, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Richmond RCMP officers responded to a report of a woman suffering from serious injuries at a residential unit in the 8600-block of Capstan Way. Police located the woman who was transported to hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and continues to work in close partnership with the Richmond RCMP Serious Crime Unit, the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service.

“We are saddened by this tragedy,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “Due to coordinated efforts between Richmond RCMP, IHIT, IFIS, BC Coroners Service and the BC Prosecution Service, we were able to meet the charge approval standard for second-degree murder within 24 hours. However, there is still a lot of work to be done as we continue to support the victim’s grieving family and the prosecution process.”

No further details are being released at this time as the matter is now before the courts.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or via email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.