A woman’s body was found in Bowker Creek Saturday morning by a passerby, said the Oak Bay police department.
Police and investigators had Bee Street at Cadboro Bay Road to the Oak Bay Recreation centre blocked off from around 9:30 a.m.
The woman’s body was found in the creek, near the Fort Street and Foul Bay Road intersection.
Deputy Chief Constable Ray Bernoties said they are still working on confirming the woman’s identity and notifying her family.
“We take this very seriously. But at this time, we have no reason to suspect foul play,” he said.
Bernoties said, “We believe, last night one of our members interacted with [the woman] so we notified the IIO.”
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is a civilian-led body that oversees any injuries and deaths that might involve police. Bernoties did not share the nature of the police member’s contact with the woman.
“Any interaction, regardless of how innocuous, if it happened close to the time of death the IIO must be notified,” he said, adding the IIO now has jurisdiction of the case.
Marten Youssef, public engagement director the IIO, confirmed investigators have been deployed to the scene.
“We are currently investigating to determine if there is a connection between the actions/inactions of police,” he said in an e-mail.
In addition to Oak Bay police, Saanich Police, Forensics, the coroner and Oak Bay fire department were also at the scene.
Youssef said any information about the identity of the woman would be up to the coroner to release.
