Police watchdog probes RCMP's handling of reported threat to woman

B.C.'s police watchdog is investigating the RCMP's role in the death of a woman in the province's Interior.

In December 2023, officers at the Lumby and Vernon detachments received a report raising concern about a woman's safety, theIndependent Investigations Office (IIO) said. Five months later, she was found dead.

Now, the IIO is probing the RCMP's handling of the case.

"The IIO investigation will now seek to determine what if any role police action or inaction may have played in the woman's death," the agency said.

The watchdog's Friday news release didn't identify the woman, though its details, including the small community and dates matchthe case of 44-year-old Tatjana Stefanski.

The RCMP launched an investigation into Stefanski's disappearance on April 13. She was reportedly last seen in Lumby that morning while speaking with her ex-husband, before "departing unexpectedly with him," police said last month.

Stefanski's body was found a day later.

CBC News asked IIO if the affected person in the investigation is Stefanski, but the agency has declined to confirm.

CBC News emailed the RCMP for comment late on Friday about the IIO's investigation and whether it involves Stefanski. RCMPhavedeclined to comment.

Lumby is home to about 2,000 people and is located approximately 55 kilometres northeast of Kelowna.