Threatening man roamed Vancouver park days before slaying: joggers
CBC News
Posted: Apr 16, 2009 8:59 PM PT
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2009 8:59 PM PT
Police have advised users of the Pacific Spirit Regional Park near the University of British Columbia to always be aware of their surroundings. (CBC) There were some disturbing encounters involving a suspicious man at a Vancouver park days before a woman's body was found there two weeks ago, according to some joggers who called in to CBC Radio Thursday.
Wendy Ladner-Beaudry's body was discovered on April 3 at about 2:40 p.m. PT on a trail in Pacific Spirit Regional Park near the University of British Columbia, close to SW Marine Drive and Camosun Street.
Vancouver police said they have no suspects in the killing.
Three women called in to a CBC Radio program in Vancouver on Thursday, describing their encounters with a man they described as shady and threatening.
'I won't feel comfortable until an arrest has been made on this case.'— Leslie Black, park user
"We were chased by a man who initially was just hanging around near a trail intersection," said a caller who didn't want to be named.
"As soon as we went by the intersection and turned deeper into the woods, he went pounding after us," she said.
Another caller said she was walking through the park two days before the homicide and crossed paths with a man near the same spot where Ladner-Beaudry's body was found.
She said the man looked at her with a "chilling, almost psychotic expression" that left her shaken.
Wendy Ladner-Beaudry was found dead on a trail in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, near her home. (CBC) She said the encounter was so disturbing she reported it to police two days after news of the homicide was reported in the media.
Vancouver police said Thursday they are investigating every tip given by the public but would not comment on specifics.
Mitch Sokalski, west area manager of Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, said rangers have been keeping tabs on the park but have not boosted their safety measures.
"We've been taking advice or direction from the RCMP, [but] there's nothing at this point where they've advised us to do anything more than to reiterate their caution to hikers," Sokalski told CBC News Thursday.
Some people who were at the park on Thursday said they are concerned about their personal safety.
"I won't feel comfortable until an arrest has been made on this case," Leslie Black said.
"It's upsetting because I think I don't know if they [police] know more than what they're saying," jogger Kamini Jain said.
Ladner-Beaudry was co-chair of the BC Games Society and the sister of former Vancouver mayoral candidate Peter Ladner. She is survived by husband Michel Beaudry and two daughters.
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- Former Stanley Park petting zoo goats feared slaughtered
- The chair of Vancouver's park board says she's outraged at the possible slaughter of goats that used to live at the Stanley Park farmyard. more »
- Canucks wary of resurgent Coyotes
- The Vancouver Canucks play host Monday night at the Rogers Arena to the resurgent Phoenix Coyotes, who are currently riding a season-high, five-game winning streak. more »
- New Westminster man saves woman from house fire
- A New Westminster, B.C., man is being called a hero after rescuing a woman from the balcony of a burning home early Sunday morning. more »
- Adults-only trade show cancelled in B.C. Bible belt
- Organizers of an adults-only trade show say they're cancelling a three-day event that was scheduled to take place in British Columbia's Bible belt. more »
Top News Headlines
- Adele wins best album, best record Grammys
- Adele capped off a "life-changing" year by winning six Grammys Sunday night, including record of the year and album of the year for 21 more »
- Hit and run victim's family fears accused will walk
- The family of a young mother killed in a hit and run is outraged that the case against the alleged driver is among thousands in B.C. at risk of being thrown out because of a huge court backlog. more »
- CBC launches digital music service
- CBC is diving into the world of online music with the goal of providing listeners access to their favourite tunes and a way to discover new artists and connect with fellow music fans. more »
- Whitney Houston death shows no signs of trauma
- Whitney Houston's life of glorious song and unnerving self-destruction apparently ended on Grammy weekend, but it could be weeks before investigators know exactly why she died. more »
- Hit and run victim's family fears accused will walk
- Former Stanley Park petting zoo goats feared slaughtered
- Adults-only trade show cancelled in B.C. Bible belt
- New Westminster man saves woman from house fire
- B.C. vets call for ban on dog docking, cropping
- Crane drops section of Port Mann bridge into B.C. river
- Langley man struck, killed by train
- RCMP request retraction over 'slanderous' article
- Emailed rave rape pictures earn teen probation

