Vigil in Vancouver honours Peace region women

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Two Peace region women were among 14 homicide victims honoured during a vigil in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Vancouver Rape Relief organized the vigil, and participants held signs with women’s names, ages and the date of their murder.

One of the signs honoured Kiara Agnew, from Dawson Creek, who was killed on March 3rd, 2023, while on vacation to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend in Mexico. She would have turned 24 on March 11th, 2023.

With funds raised through a GoFundMe, Agnew’s body was returned to Canada later in March.

Participants held three signs that read “Woman” for unnamed homicide victims — one of which was dedicated to a 57-year-old Chetwynd woman.

The woman was found deceased on February 27th, 2023, in a residence in the East Pine area.

A young individual was charged with second-degree murder, but the suspect’s identity was protected due to them being underage.

“We want the police, or BC Coroners Service, to publish women’s names. We want to know who they were because we want to honour and mourn them,” said Hilla Kerner, spokeswoman for Vancouver Rape Relief.

“Femicide is deadly male violence against women. It is a serious issue that must be exposed and highlighted as part of our efforts to stop it.”