Students pay tribute to Delta, B.C., teenager as police investigate suspicious death
A memorial is growing at a Delta, B.C., high school after the sudden death of one of its students.
Maaike Blom, a 17-year-old who attended Delta Secondary, was reported missing over the weekend, and her body was discovered by police Tuesday.
Investigators are calling her death suspicious, but have given few other details.
On Wednesday, Blom’s classmates described her as bubbly and funny.
“She just was really kind, and didn't deserve anything that happened to her,” said Taylor Hughes, a friend and classmate of Blom’s.
“When I heard that she went missing, it was really surreal," she added. "You're hanging out with someone like the day before, still Snapchatting them and talking to them, like right before they pass."
A stuffed bear, flowers, candles and pictures have been placed outside her school in her honour. Notes reading “Rest in peace" and “Forever in our hearts” were also left behind by her classmates.
“She was an artist. She really loves spray paint," Hughes said. "(In) the downstairs of her house, her mom let her spray paint her Tsawwassen First Nations Band on the wall."
She said she last heard from Blom on Friday.
“It wasn't anything out of the ordinary," Hughes said. "She sent videos all the time. All the time. So it was basically just like a video of her all dressed up. She was in a dress and she was going to hang out with her friends."
Blom was last seen by her family at home Friday, and was reported missing Sunday.
Police said her absence was out of character and announced her disappearance the following day.
Then Tuesday, in a heartbreaking discovery, her body was found inside a home on Tsawwassen First Nations land.
Blom lived in that community, though police have not said how far the home she was found in was from her own.
Authorities said a man was taken into custody in connection with her death, but has since been released.
They haven’t said how he may have known her.
Investigators are not calling Blom’s death a homicide, but said it is considered suspicious, and the investigation is still in its early stages.
Counselling support was offered to students and staff impacted by the tragedy Wednesday.
In a statement, the school district told CTV News: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Maaike Blom. Maaike was a much-loved student who had strong connections with her peers."
Hughes said Blom will be greatly missed, and that her heart goes out to her grieving family.
“I am so sorry. You shouldn't have to go through losing a kid at like 17 years old. Wake up with them and they're not there one day,” said the teen through tears.
“It's so lonely to lose someone,” she added.
Police believe the teen’s death was isolated and there is no ongoing risk to the public.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.