Victim of fatal Surrey stabbing was a mother; investigators confirm husband arrested then released
Homicide detectives are publicly identifying the woman who was stabbed to death in Surrey Wednesday night, and CTV News has learned she was a mother.
Forty-year-old Harpreet Kaur Gill was found suffering from multiple stab wounds near the 127 Street and 66 Avenue around 9:20 p.m., according to a statement issued Friday by the Lower Mainland's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
The victim was taken to hospital, but succumbed to her injuries. IHIT said a 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. During a news conference Friday, IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Timothy Pierotti confirmed the man is the victim's husband. He was released from custody Thursday and no charges have been laid.
“IHIT continues to gather evidence and we're working to meet the charge approval threshold,” Pierotti said. “Any time there's an allegation of domestic violence, police take it very seriously.”
CTV News has learned Gill was the mother of at least one child in elementary school. A letter was sent to parents from MJ Norris Elementary in Surrey on Thursday saying the school community suffered a “tragic loss” Wednesday night.
“A parent at our school was the victim of a serious incident and we are heartbroken for the family. This is a devastating loss,” the letter reads. It also offered counselling services for students.
Investigators said they are releasing Gill's identity in the hopes of furthering their investigation.
“These incidents have a significant impact, not only on the family and friends of the victim, but the entire community. Surrey RCMP’s Victim Services has been engaged and is available to anyone in need of assistance,” Pierotti said in a statement.
Anyone with "background information" about Gill or other information related to the case is asked to call IHIT at 877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, police said.
Correction
This story has been updated to change the surname of the victim. Police initially reported the victim's name as Harpreet Kaur, but on Wednesday, Dec. 14, they sent an update to media indicating that her name was Harpreet Kaur Gill. Police said they initially believed she had legally changed her name to Harpreet Kaur, but that this was not, in fact, the case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.