A homicide investigation is currently underway in connection with the discovery of 27-year-old Amy Watts in early June. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

HOMICIDE

Death of woman in Nanaimo’s downtown now considered homicide

Jun 16, 2021 | 9:42 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties have upgraded the status of their investigation into the discovery of a body in downtown Nanaimo.

27-year-old Amy Watts was found in the city’s downtown on Thursday, June 3 around Albert St. and Victoria Cres. in a steep, wooded ravine.

Watts was initially reported missing on May 27 by her family.

“It’s a very aggressive investigation involving forensic evidence, CCTV cameras, witnesses,” Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “At this point we’re not putting a call out for further witnesses, but if we do need to we will certainly address that.”

Nanaimo RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit currently leads the investigation, while no arrests have yet been made.

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O’Brien would not say what caused the investigation to be upgraded from a suspicious death to homicide.

“There are integrity issues we have to be very aware of to preserve all evidence in the investigation.”

It’s the third homicide investigation in Nanaimo so far in 2021.

The body of Randel Charles Thomas was discovered along the Nanaimo Parkway in late March, with police originally saying it was a suspicious death before later upgrading to a homicide investigation.

On May 20, a man linked to gang violence in the Lower Mainland was shot and killed behind the Wendy’s on the Island Hwy. near Rock City Rd.

The targeted shooting draw an expansive police response with three people later arrested in a north Nanaimo hotel.

Police also conducted a multi-day search of Diver Lake and an apartment on Rosehill St. in relation to a missing persons case from the last year.

RCMP said at the time foul play was suspected but have not publically confirmed a homicide investigation is underway.

“That is another aggressive investigation which our investigators are juggling, that is ongoing,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien added there is “no link whatsoever” between the three open homicide investigations in the city.

A day prior to the discover of Watts, police found the body of 21-year-old Deanna Williams in a tent near the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

Officers later confirmed foul play was not suspected.

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