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.
“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.”
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.