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UPDATE: Woman who plunged from Surrey highrise identified

19-year-old Maurine Arogie fell from 26th storey of building near 100 Avenue and 136 Street on New Year's Day.
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Maurine Arogie


The woman who died from a 26-storey fall on Wednesday morning is Maurine Arogie, also known as Maurine Rinny.

While not much is listed about her on her Facebook site, Arogie was named as a Student of the Month in December 2013 at Guildford Learning Centre.

At 1 a.m. on New Year's Day, 19-year-old Arogie dropped from a Whalley highrise at 9938 Whalley Boulevard, right near the King George SkyTrain Station.

The Leader has learned Arogie had called her father earlier saying she was being beaten. A family member then called the Surrey RCMP.

When Mounties arrived, they saw her tumbling from the tower.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the case.

A 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene, but was released on Thursday without being charged.

"At this time we have not determined enough evidence to support laying a charge," said IHIT Sgt. Adam MacIntosh. "That doesn't mean that there won't be charges, it just means the investigation is not complete."

It hasn't been determined whether it was a homicide or not, at this point, he said.

Investigators have spoken with several people who were in the 26th floor apartment throughout the evening and neighbours in adjoining suites.

He would not say whether there were other people, other than her and the 23-year-old, in the apartment at the time of her fall.

"It's still being investigated as suspicious," MacIntosh said. "Our goal is to find out exactly what occurred, in the hours, minutes and moments leading to her death."

Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to call the IHIT Tipline at 1-877-551-4448 or email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. If you wish to remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip on their website at Solvecrime.ca

@diakiw