VANCOUVER, BC – July 14, 2025 – The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has launched a homicide investigation following the tragic death of a woman who was fatally stabbed in the Gastown neighborhood early Sunday morning. The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Ivy Michelle Bell, a resident of Surrey, British Columbia.
According to a VPD news release, officers were dispatched shortly after 4:30 a.m. on July 13 to the area of Carrall Street and Water Street after a 9-1-1 call reported that a woman had been stabbed. Emergency responders arrived quickly and rendered medical assistance at the scene. Despite their efforts, the victim succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital.
Her sudden and violent death has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of grief and calls for justice.
Police say a 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident but has since been released pending further investigation. Authorities confirmed that they believe the victim and the suspect knew each other, and that this was not a random attack. No charges have been laid as of this time, and investigators are working diligently to gather all available evidence.
The VPD’s Homicide Unit is actively pursuing leads and is asking the public for assistance in this case. Witnesses or anyone who may have information about the incident — including people who may have been in the Carrall and Water Street area between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. — are encouraged to come forward.
“We’re asking anyone who saw or heard anything unusual in the area around the time of the incident to contact us,” said a VPD spokesperson. “Even the smallest detail could prove significant in helping us piece together what happened and move this investigation forward.”
The intersection where the incident occurred is one of Gastown’s most recognizable and frequented areas, especially during weekends. Police have not disclosed whether surveillance footage from nearby businesses or street cameras has been reviewed, but they noted that all potential evidence is being collected and examined thoroughly.
Community members have expressed shock at the violence occurring in the heart of one of Vancouver’s historic neighborhoods. Ivy Bell’s name now joins a growing list of victims whose lives have been taken through acts of senseless violence. Friends and family have described her as “warm, kind-hearted, and deeply loved,” and tributes have begun circulating on social media in her memory.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds. The VPD continues to work to ensure the safety of the community and bring justice to the family and loved ones of Ivy Michelle Bell.
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