John Colebourn
Staff Reporter

Woman slashed, set on fire

A Vancouver prostitute who was attacked and then set on fire is the city's latest homicide victim. Police were called shortly after midnight Saturday by a couple walking beside the water in Fraser River Park at West 75th Avenue, said Const. Anne Drennan.

"They say what they thought was a bonfire," she said. "Then they saw an arm and a leg coming out of the fire.

"They realized they were seeing a smouldering body."

Police have identified the woman as a prostitute but had not released her name last evening. They said her throat had been slashed.

The woman apparently was dead when she was set on fire said Det. Steve Pranzl.

"It appears an accelerant was usd to set her on fire," Pranzl said.

Witnesses say a dark-colored car with four or five occupants leave the area after the fire was discovered, police said.

A motive has not been determined, and an autopsy will be done.

The murder is the city's 17th this year.

Police are asking anyone with information to call them.