Police are investigating after two people were found dead in a Saanich home on Wednesday night.
A bungalow at 3720 Epsom Dr. was behind police tape on Thursday as Saanich police and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit collected evidence and canvassed neighbours for information. Police have not disclosed the identities of the deceased or the cause of their deaths.
The home is owned by Dorothy E. Barton, according to land title documents.
Neighbours said Barton, in her late-80s or early 90s, lived in the house for more than 15 years but moved recently in a care home. Her middle-aged daughter, Susan Barton, moved into the house. Because of health and mobility problems, she required assistance from a care aide who visited the house.
“The older lady had moved out recently,” said Erin Edler, who lives next door. “I think she needed extra care. The daughter had some issues herself. She had a caretaker as well.”
Susan suffered from Parkinson’s disease and has been a client at the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre since 2010.
Neighbours said they noticed police cars at the house about 9 p.m. Wednesday. No one reported hearing sirens.
Christeen Richards, who lives two doors down, said before Dorothy moved to the care home, she would often walk her two dogs up and down the street.
“I think the dogs were her babies,” Richards said.
Another resident of Epsom Drive, Bill Webb, said that, in the past, Dorothy had a Korean exchange student living in a suite in the home.
Former Saanich mayor Frank Leonard and his wife, Jackie Ngai, live just down the road from the home. Ngai said Dorothy was friendly and would always say hello to neighbours on the street.
“She was a sweetheart,” Ngai said.
Other neighbours described Susan as a private person.
Dorothy used to run D’s Bed ’n’ Breakfast at the house. A listing for the business advertised fresh flowers in the room, tea in the evening and home-cooked breakfast in the morning.
Dorothy, known to her friends as Dee, was a longtime member of the Positive Living Centre of Victoria, a church and spiritual centre.
B.C. Coroners Service is also investigating the deaths.
Saanich police said they do not believe there’s a threat to public safety but would not release more details.
