Login / RegisterB.C. missing women inquiry grants standing to mother of missing woman
The mother of a woman who went missing from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in 2001 has been granted standing at the B.C. missing women inquiry.
Marion Bryce, the mother of Patricia Johnson, will be granted full standing at the hearings that are set to begin in October, commissioner Wally Oppal announced in a ruling today.
In 2002, first-degree murder charges were laid against Robert Pickton in connection with Johnson’s disappearance, but the charges were later stayed.
In the ruling on participation issued by Wally Oppal today (August 19), the commissioner noted that he previously granted standing to eight families of missing and murdered women. Vancouver lawyer Cameron Ward, who is the legal counsel for the eight families, has since been retained by an additional five families at the inquiry.
“I believe Ms. Bryce will contribute to a meaningful examination of the conduct of the missing women investigation, particularly the initiation of the investigations,” Oppal wrote.
Oppal said he believes Bryce may be able to provide evidence related to Johnson’s disappearance, the search for her daughter, the initial report of her disappearance to police, the information she provided to officers, and the conduct of the investigation.
Bryce will be represented by Vancouver lawyer Irwin Nathanson.
The missing women inquiry will examine police investigations conducted between Jan. 23, 1997 an Feb. 5, 2002 into women reported missing from the Downtown Eastside.
