VANCOUVER Police said on Saturday that a previously unidentified body discovered in Richmond has now been confirmed as Tatyanna Harrison, a 20-year-old Indigenous woman reported missing from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside this spring.

“This is heartbreaking news to everyone who knew and loved Tatyanna, and to the many strangers who came together to search for her when she disappeared,” said Constable Tania Visintin.

“Although we are now able to provide some answers, many questions remain, and we will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Tatyanna’s disappearance.”

Harrison was reported missing by her mother, Natasha Harrison, on May 3, after she had not been heard from since the end of March.

VPD investigators believe Harrison had relocated to Vancouver from Surrey for several weeks before her disappearance.

She last texted her mother from somewhere on the Downtown Eastside on March 24.

On June 25, Vancouver Police and Natasha Harrison released a video documenting her last known movements in the Downtown Eastside, appealing to anyone with information about her disappearance to come forward.

The BC Cororners Service notified Vancouver Police on Friday that a body found on May 2 in Richmond has been positively identified as Harrison’s.

“Tragically, we now believe Tatyanna died in another city before she was reported missing,’ said Visintin. “The Coroners Service has informed VPD that Tatyanna died from drug toxicity, specifically fentanyl.”

Vancouver Police continue to ask anyone with information Harrison’s last movements to call VPD Missing Person Unit at 604-717-2530 or email vpd.missing@vpd.ca.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you are requested to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.solvecrime.ca.