The quiet community of Penticton was jolted Monday morning when emergency personnel discovered the body of a young mother in an apartment complex on Skaha Lake Road. The woman, whose identity has not been released pending notification of family members, was found unresponsive shortly after 7:30 a.m. following a distress call to authorities.
“First responders arrived to find a deceased female in her twenties,” confirmed Sergeant Jason Bayda of the Penticton RCMP in a statement released Tuesday. “We’re treating this as a suspicious death until we can determine otherwise.”
The victim was reportedly the mother of at least one young child, according to neighbors who spoke with investigators at the scene. Police have established a perimeter around the three-story apartment building where forensic teams continue to gather evidence.
The investigation has sent ripples through the South Okanagan community, with local residents expressing shock at the tragedy unfolding in their normally peaceful neighborhood.
“I’ve lived here for seven years and nothing like this has ever happened,” said Marie Fontaine, a resident of a neighboring building. “To think there’s a child who’s lost their mother—it’s heartbreaking.”
The BC Coroners Service has joined the RCMP in the investigation, though representatives declined to provide specific details about the cause of death, citing the ongoing nature of their work. Sources close to the investigation indicated that police are reviewing security footage from nearby businesses and interviewing multiple persons of interest.
Community support has already begun mobilizing, with the South Okanagan Women in Need Society establishing an emergency fund for the affected family. “When tragedy strikes, especially involving a young parent, we need to come together as a community,” said executive director Debbie Scarborough.
For residents seeking support during this difficult time, crisis counseling services have been made available through the Penticton Mental Health Centre.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Penticton RCMP directly or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. The investigation serves as a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can touch even the most close-knit communities, leaving neighbors to wonder what circumstances led to such a devastating outcome.
As CO24 Breaking News continues to follow this developing story, updates will be provided as more information becomes available from investigators working to bring closure to a family and community in mourning.
