Gastown homicide victim identified as 45-year-old Vancouver woman

The victim of Vancouver’s third homicide of 2020 has been identified as a Downtown Eastside women’s counsellor and outreach worker.

Vancouver police say 45-year-old Tonya Hyer of Vancouver was found critically injured at 112 Water Street around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. Paramedics were unable to resuscitate her at the scene.

Hyer had worked as a counsellor at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and as a shelter resource worker at the Lookout Society.

Hyer also had a “lengthy history with police,” according to Vancouver police Const. Tania Visintin.

Court records show convictions on charges of theft under $5,000 and assault.

Police said they have yet to arrest anyone in the case, and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

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“Investigators believe there are people in the community who know Hyer and have information surrounding her death,” said Visintin.

“Any piece of information, no matter how small, can help.”

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Hyer’s death came just hours after another homicide in the city. Police have since identified the victim of that killing as Mathieu Flynn, 31, of Richmond.