Homicide investigators called in after woman and girl die in North Van balcony fall

Police in North Vancouver, B.C., say homicide investigators have been called in after a woman and a child died from falling off an apartment balcony.

RCMP initially said officers responded to reports that two "females" had fallen from the building on Esplanade Avenue in the city's Shipyards area at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The Mounties then issued a statement clarifying that the people who died were a woman and a school-aged girl.

They say investigators believe the incident was isolated, and they're "not looking for any other suspects at this time."

The woman and child were initially found suffering from injuries and police say they were later pronounced dead despite efforts by emergency personnel to save them.

The Mounties say the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called and will be working with the serious crime unit at the North Vancouver detachment.

They say investigators are still gathering evidence.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the RCMP.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2024.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said two women died. In fact, they were a woman and a school-aged girl.