A 27-year-old Coquitlam man is facing second-degree murder charges after the body of his sister was found at a Westwood Plateau townhome on Sunday afternoon.
Jarek Paderewski made his first court appearance on Monday in the death of 33-year-old Maja Paderewska. The RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said neither the suspect or the victim were known to police and investigators are still trying to determine what led up to the incident.
"The motive is not known yet," said Sgt. Adam MacIntosh. "It is still the subject of the investigation. We are trying to find out what exactly occurred."
On Sunday, BC Ambulance paramedics and members of the Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services responded to a medical distress call at a home in the 2900-block of Panorama Drive. The victim was found dead in the residence and an adult male was immediately taken into custody.
MacIntosh would not indicate how the victim died but said an autopsy would be conducted on Tuesday.
"There is still a lot of work that has to occur," he said. "We will have to complete the collection of evidence and things will get sent to the lab. There is still lot for investigators to do."
The suspect is believed to have lived at the townhouse with his parents, however the victim is believed to have resided in Surrey, where she was a school teacher.
Many people took to Facebook and Twitter to express their condolences for the loss.
Former North Surrey Secondary student Tanu Gill told CBC that Paderewska would often stay late at the school to mentor students.
"If you ever needed something, you could instantly go to Miss Paderewska. You know she's always there after school, during lunch and you could talk to her about anything."
Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to call 1-877-551-4448 or email ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
– with files from The Surrey Leader and CBC