THE RCMP and family members of Wendy Ladner-Beaudry are renewing their request for help in solving her homicide on the 10th anniversary of her death.
Wendy was killed in Pacific Spirit Park within the University Endowment Lands while out for a jog on April 3, 2009. An exhaustive investigation has been conducted from the onset, with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team eventually developing a list of over 300 persons of interest, according to the RCMP.
In 2014, the BC RCMP’s Major Crime Section ‘s Special Projects Unit took over the case and continued to review all the evidence and follow up on subsequent tips received throughout the years. However, Wendy’s murder remains unsolved, and there is no suspect identified to date.
“Our investigators remain dedicated to solving this crime,” said Superintendent Jeanette Theisen, in charge of the Major Crime Section, Special Projects Unit, on Wednesday. “We continue to urge anyone with information about what happened that day in the park to please contact us. Help us move this investigation forward.”
The Ladner-Beaudry family’s private reward of up to $30,000 has been renewed for new information which will lead to the arrest and laying of a criminal charge or criminal charges against an individual or individuals responsible for the murder of their beloved Wendy.
Call the Major Crime tip line at 778-290-5291, or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a message on their website at Solvecrime.ca.
Statement from Major Crime Section, Special Projects Unit
My name is Superintendent Jeanette Theisen and I am currently overseeing the Major Crime Section in charge of this investigation.
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the homicide of Wendy Ladner-Beaudry. Wendy was a caring, loving, and kind soul. Wendy was a mother, a wife, a friend, a sister, an aunt, and an important part of her community. Despite the length of time that has passed, the determination of the RCMP and investigators has never waivered. Wendy was and still is just as important to us, and to her family, as she has always been. Not a day goes by that we don’t pause to think about Wendy, to think about her family, her husband, her siblings, and her daughters, who all deserve justice.
The Special Projects Unit of the RCMP Major Crime Section in BC remain working diligently to locate Wendy’s killer and provide her family with answers after so many years. Throughout the last few years, we have continued to receive tips on Wendy’s homicide. With the assistance of crime analysts, each one of these tips has been thoroughly investigated, as were previous persons of interest. Unfortunately, none of these tips have moved us any closer to locating who so suddenly took Wendy from her family. To date, there is no suspect in the case.
We strongly believe that there is someone in the community who knows what happened to Wendy, or has information that can assist us in our investigation. We urge anyone with information to come forward and help us move the investigation forward. Please, if you have information, or know someone who does, reach out and do the right thing. You can call information into the E Division Major Crime tip line at 778-290-5291, or, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a message on their website at Solvecrime.ca.
Statement from Wendy’s brother, Peter Ladner
The pain of coming out to this tenth anniversary is something those outside Wendy’s family and circle of friends can never understand.
It’s impossible to find words to convey what it’s like to lose a sister, mother, wife, aunt, friend, and mentor at the hands of another person. The sudden loss of Wendy 10 years ago today opened up a hole in our lives that stares back at us every day. I’m here today on behalf of Wendy’s close and extended family, and her friends and neighbours to share some of that impact and ask for your help.
First I’d like to share some reactions from people close to Wendy:
In her husband Michel’s words:
For the last 10 years, my daughters and I have had to deal with the loss of one of the most generous and outgoing women one could ever want to meet. My children’s mother, their mentor, my life partner, my best friend: she’s gone forever. And the toll on our lives has been terrible. For Wendy is no longer here to challenge us, to make us laugh, to help us see the world as the positive, happy place she always believed it was.
Her sister Nancy: Wendy’s two daughters have lost a mother to be there for their weddings, babies and family gatherings. They will not know the wisdom only a mother like Wendy could have shared with her daughters. Michel will never have his life partner back. He will never hug the love of his life again.
So many of her friends told me how much she inspired and continues to inspire their lives. One friend says she visits him in his dreams, helping guide him even today.
A neighbour says:
Wendy is still remembered as a person of spirit, curiosity and goodwill. The street on which she lived has never been the same since her untimely and cruel death.
A close friend who used to celebrate Wendy’s birthday at this time of year says:
I now have this dark space that used to be a special time of celebration for me and Wendy, just when our gardens are starting to pop.
Another friend remembers:
Wendy is, and always will be, with me every day of my life. She was an amazing athlete, a beautiful friend and a loving Mum, I miss her more than words can say.
A friend who’s now a politician tells us:
I still think of Wendy all the time. What would she be doing, how would our lives be different? She had a positive influence on so many people, from close family and friends to community workers. In my role as an elected official, as a friend, and as a parent I miss her wisdom every day.
Someone made a decision to end her life. Someone felt they could brutally take her life, without the slightest idea of how that senseless act would destroy the peace and calm that Wendy did so much to create around us.
In addition to the unhealed wounds inside those of us who knew Wendy, the community is also suffering. A shadow of fear continues to hang over Pacific Spirit park. The safety and enjoyment of thousands of Pacific Spirit Park users continue to be compromised as this case drags on, unsolved.
Quite recently a friend told me:
I was walking along the trail in Pacific Spirit Park with a friend who is a healer. Without prompting, he stopped suddenly when we came to the site of Wendy’s murder. Something happened here, he said.
There is a murderer loose somewhere. We are still grieving a death that has passed. But there is a potential for a future tragedy awaiting other victims and families who had nothing to do with Wendy. Until Wendy’s killer is apprehended, that possibility will hang over all of us.
For all we know there may already be other women who have been attacked, even killed, by Wendy’s murderer. There may be other people also suffering today, somewhere near here, or somewhere far away, unknown to us, because this case has not been solved. That is the danger that has to be eliminated.
The police have made exhaustive efforts to question suspects and solve this case. We have done everything we possibly can. But it is still unsolved. Our family is renewing a $30,000 reward in the hope that it will bring in new leads.
We need community members and neighbours to add their voices to those of the family to impress upon the police that we cannot let this uncertainty and danger continue.
The family will never give up on this case.
If you know something, someone, anything that will lead to an arrest, please, please let the police know.
Both the family and the community need closure on this tragic event.
I saw her on the Beach once and she looked very fit. ? Very fit… I was impressed!