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Police, coroners service investigating multiple deaths at Vancouver SRO

Three bodies were found earlier this month
coroner
The BC Coroners Service and Vancouver Police Department are investigating multiple deaths in one SRO. Brendan Kergin / Vancouver Is Awesome

An investigation has been opened into three deaths at a Downtown Eastside SRO.

The bodies of three people were discovered in early May at Heatley Block, but both the Vancouver Police Department and BC Coroners Service aren't releasing much information. The building is an SRO at the corner of Heatley Avenue and East Hastings Street. 

"I can confirm that the BC Coroners Service is investigating three deaths at the location provided," says Ryan Panton, spokesperson for the coroners service. "As our investigations remain open, I have no additional information available at this time."

He adds it'll likely be weeks until the investigation is complete and more information can be released, maybe months.

The police have a similar stance.

"We are liaising with the BC Coroners Service to determine the cause of the deaths and when they occurred," says Cst. Tania Visintin in an email. "We are working to identify family members of two of the three people so they can be notified of the deaths."

She notes the VPD doesn't believe there is a risk to the public connected with the deaths.

While Atira Women's Resource Society is listed by some online sources as the organization running the SRO, CEO Janice Abbott says the organization hasn't managed it in over a decade and isn't sure who owns or manages it.