Police are asking for the public’s help in the investigation of last week’s murder of a Vancouver couple.
Dianna Mah-Jones, 65, and Richard Jones, 68, were found dead in their home Sept. 27 on West 64th Avenue near Hudson Street.
Homicide detectives are looking for additional information during a specific period of time — between noon on Tuesday, Sept. 26 and noon on Wednesday, Sept. 27. As well as in a specific location — the area bounded by West 70th Avenue to the south, West 58th Avenue to the north and between Oak and Granville streets.
Investigators are looking for any video footage from surveillance, security, or dash-cam cameras, and any discarded property seen or located during that time frame.
“We think the public can play a role in solving this crime,” said Const. Jason Doucette. “Something as simple as dash-cam footage from a vehicle driving through the area last Tuesday could help with this case. We’re asking residents in the area to provide us with a copy of their security footage, and to check their property for discarded items that don’t belong.”
Investigators are also working to piece together Richard Jones’s activities on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Anyone who may have spoken with or seen him last Tuesday, or who has video footage or other information about this case, is asked to call 604-717-2500.
Doucette said officers have already knocked on many doors and spoken to many residents in that area.
"From all accounts, this couple is going to be missed beyond belief," he said, adding that many people have already come forward with tips in an effort to help with the investigation.
Doucette said police have not yet been able to establish a motive or determine if the attack was random or targeted.
Officers were called to the couple’s home at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to check on their well-being. Doucette said officers were sent to the residence after a friend stopped by and noticed something that caught their attention.
Late Thursday afternoon police issued a public plea for help locating the couple’s 2014 white Kia Soul.
The car was located several hours later, at around 9:30 p.m., parked and empty in the area of Cartier Street and Park Drive, not far from the couple’s home.
"We are looking at the vehicle to determine whether or not it played a role in this offence," Doucette said.
Mah-Jones worked as an occupational therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and Vancouver General Hospital.
“Vancouver Coastal Health is shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Dianna Mah-Jones and her husband,” the health authority said in a statement released Friday. “Our deepest sympathies go to her family, friends and colleagues.
“A compassionate health care professional, she was a much-loved member of the VCH family for 35 years who achieved much in her career.”
In 2015 she was named the Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists B.C. and just this past June she was honoured by the health authority as B.C.’s Health Care Hero at the annual B.C. Health Care Awards.
“Dianna will be remembered as someone who went above and beyond to make a difference for her patients and will be missed by all who knew her,” the statement reads.
@JessicaEKerr
