A Port Coquitlam teen was found dead in a Vancouver apartment in May 1 — the same place where two other bodies were also discovered by the city's police department (VPD) this year.
One officer involved in those findings is now facing a misconduct investigation for alleged neglect of duty under the Police Act.
In a statement to the Tri-City News today (July 14), the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC) says the allegations are based on the officer's attendance at the Downtown Eastside suite, though details are limited.
It's the site where Noelle "Elli" O'soup's body was found — located at 405 Heatley Ave. north of MacLean Park and southeast of Oppenheimer Park — and identified by the BC Coroners Service almost a year after she was reported missing.
Multiple reports say the 14-year-old girl was one of two people whose remains discovered, while the third was found in the unit in February.
The OPCC explains VPD submitted a request into the misconduct allegations on May 18, more than a month after it was publicly announced that O'soup was found dead.
"The conduct investigation was immediately suspended in order to ensure there is no prejudice to any criminal investigation into the deaths," the OPCC's statement reads.
The watchdog oversees public concerns about the conducts of B.C. municipal police officers or departments, and adds it has no role in criminal investigations.
"The criminal investigation is separate from the allegations contained in the Police Act investigation," the OPCC adds.
"At the conclusion of the criminal investigation and any resulting proceedings, the Police Act investigation will be re-initiated. "
The OPCC says no other information is being release at this time.
As well, there have been no public updates about O'soup's case as the investigation is ongoing.
The Indigenous teen was 13 when last seen the night of May 12, 2021, after leaving home "without permission" and the family was notified of the body's discovery last Wednesday (June 22).
A community vigil was also held in O'soup's memory on June 28.
"Noelle’s death will generate many questions in the community, and we are committed to finding answers," said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison in an earlier release.
"If, during the course of this investigation, we determine there is a risk to public safety, we will immediately notify the public."
The VPD is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding O'soup's death, alongside the BC Coroners Service and Coquitlam RCMP.
Anyone with more information on O'soup's death is asked to call VPD's major crime section at 604-717-2500.
