A man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a trailer park fire near Mission, B.C. that killed a woman and sent two children to hospital Friday.
The blaze broke out around 3:15 a.m. Friday, destroying a trailer on Hatzic Island, a small unincorporated community in the Fraser Valley. Crews discovered a woman’s body inside after they put out the flames.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team now believes the victim is 33-year-old Eleanor Anthonysz, and have since arrested 42-year-old Walter Ramsey in her death.
Ramsey was found at a home and taken into custody with help from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, police said. He is charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson.
“I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of this Ms. Anthonysz and hope that the speed with which the alleged suspect was apprehended gives them some measure of comfort in the days ahead,” IHIT Supt. Dwayne McDonald said in a statement.
Neighbours told CTV Vancouver they could hear screaming as the trailer went up in flames, and shortly after, two kids with their hands bound by plastic ties emerged from the structure.
They were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police said they believe the victim was targeted.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihittipline@rcmp-grc.ca.
Ramsey will make his first court appearance on Monday.
