SIXTEEN years ago, Wendy Ladner-Beaudry was brutally murdered in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, located on the west side of the City of Vancouver, near UBC.
Wendy was jogging in the park near 41st Avenue and Camosun on April 3, 2009, when she was senselessly attacked. Her body was found on St. George’s trail, just nine blocks from her home. Wendy’s family and the RCMP have not given up looking for her killer.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) assumed conduct of the investigation and immediately launched a massive operation in the area. For several days, dozens of police officers including Air Services, Police Dog Services and the Lower Mainland Integrated Tactical Troop meticulously searched the park for any evidence related to Wendy’s murder. Despite the search efforts and hundreds of residences in the area being canvassed for information, no suspect(s) and no clear motive(s) were identified.
For five years, the IHIT investigated tips received from the public. Hundreds of persons of interest were identified and pursued but ultimately eliminated as suspects. In April of 2014, the investigation transitioned to the RCMP Major Crime Section – Special Projects Unit. Numerous tips of varying reliability have continuously been received from the public and investigated accordingly. Additional persons of interest have been identified, pursued and eliminated as suspects. It cannot be discounted that Wendy’s murder was a random act of violence, say the RCMP.
By all accounts, Wendy was a loving, dedicated and inspiring person.
“Those of us close to Wendy lost a trusted sister, a loving mother, a strong wife, a cheerful aunt, a dear friend, a dedicated mentor or a smiling neighbor. We have lived with the pain of this tragic event for the past 16 years. We have moved forward but we will never be able to leave behind Wendy’s loving imprint on our lives. Her untimely death is a horrific loss not only to her family and friends but the sporting community that she so passionately promoted,” said Peter Ladner, Wendy’s brother.
Wendy was only 53 years old when she was killed. She and her family deserve justice and investigators believe someone out there has information that could help achieve it, say the RCMP.
Anyone with information who has yet to speak with police is urged to call the RCMP at 778-290-5291, 1-877-543-4822 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
