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

Click to play video: 'New details in murder of 45-year-old woman in Gastown'
New details in murder of 45-year-old woman in Gastown
The devastated friends of 45-year-old Tonya Hyer are talking about how the murder victim was trying to turn her life around. Nadia Stewart reports – Jan 24, 2020

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.

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

Click to play video: 'VPD investigate New Year’s Day murder in Oppenheimer Park'
VPD investigate New Year’s Day murder in Oppenheimer Park

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

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.

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