32-year-old mother identified as victim of fatal stabbing in Coquitlam
Colleagues are expressing heartbreak after a 32-year-old realtor was identified as the victim of a fatal stabbing in Coquitlam.
Police have named 32-year-old Ramina Shah from Maple Ridge as the woman stabbed to death in an underground parkade in Coquitlam, B.C., Thursday afternoon. They have described her as a mother with young children
Her employer, Stonehaus Realty, called Shah "the type of person that lit up a room" in a statement issued Friday.
"Her presence and outgoing personality was loved by everyone," the statement read. "She was dedicated to starting her new career in real estate while at the same time being an amazing mom to three young children.
"Our hearts are broken by this tragedy and our prayers and thoughts are with her family and kids."
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is in charge of the investigation and says it was a targeted, isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the public.
"Information so far at the scene and speaking to witnesses leads us to believe this is an isolated incident and not a random attack," Sgt, David Lee said on Friday.
At 4:30 p.m. PT, Coquitlam RCMP were called to the parkade on the 1100-block of Austin Avenue for reports of a stabbing. There, they found a woman suffering from stab wounds. She was taken to hospital, but later died as a result of her injuries.
Police say Shah worked in the area and was attacked as she was leaving work. Her name and photo have been released in order to find witnesses who may have seen her around the time of the attack.
"We believe there were other witnesses who may not have understood what they were seeing and are asking them to please call IHIT," said Lee.
Lee says Shah's young children are being taken care of.
IHIT is looking for witnesses, including anyone who was in the area between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or email police at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
