THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Friday identified the victim of Thursday’s homicide in Coquitlam as 32-year-old Ramina Shah from Maple Ridge.

IHIT said that her name and photo werere being released in an effort to identify witnesses who may have seen her around the time of the incident. At this time, this appears to be an isolated and not a random incident.

On January 27, at around 4:30 p.m., Coquitlam RCMP responded to a call and found a female victim with stab injuries at a parking lot in the 1100-block of Austin Avenue. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but despite life-saving measures, she succumbed to her wounds. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in to investigate.

IHIT is working with partners from the Coquitlam RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS), and the BC Coroners Service. The scene is being examined and a canvass for witnesses and CCTV is ongoing. Homicide investigators are looking to speak to friends and associates of Shah. There is also interest in dash-cam footage from the Austin Avenue area from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on January 27.

“This is in its initial stages and we want to assure that there is no [ongoing] risk,” said IHIT Sgt. David Lee. “We are still gathering information and are asking for witnesses and CCTV.”

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