Firefighting equipment, rubble and a child-sized bicycle rests on the front lawn of a fire-torn home in Surrey, cordoned off by yellow police tape.

Located across the street and a few doors down from an elementary school, what鈥檚 left of the family home on Wednesday depicts a tragic reminder of the violence that occurred there a couple nights prior.

Monday evening, Surrey RCMP were called to the house after a woman was stabbed.

The woman, who was seriously injured, survived the attack and was able to flee the house but her five-year-old child remained inside. The suspect, who was known to the victims, set fire to the house after the stabbing. Police say the suspect then drove to the Port Mann Bridge and jumped off. He is presumed dead.

When firefighters extinguished the blaze, they found the body of a five-year-old child.

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Firefighters and homicide detectives remained on the scene Wednesday. A forensic identification vehicle was parked beside the house while an officer searched for clues with a metal detector.

Neighbours and people who knew the victim started a makeshift memorial near the corner of the house, in memory of the child who died. A small stuffed teddy bear and giraffe laid at the bottom of a light standard, along with a few bouquets of flowers.

While neighbours declined to provide comment to the Now-Leader, some paused for a moment to absorb what happened.

鈥淚t makes me want to weep,鈥� a woman said while standing in front of the destroyed home.

News of the incident prompted readers to share condolences online.

鈥淥h my goodness, how terribly tragic,鈥� Kathy Hayley Osbak wrote on Facebook. 鈥淐ondolence to the family and loved ones of this beautiful one鈥� sending prayers.鈥�

In a news release issued Tuesday, Surrey RCMP Sergeant Elenore Sturko described what unfolded as a 鈥渉eartbreaking鈥� incident.

鈥淲e express our condolences to the families involved, and encourage anyone who is struggling with this news to reach out for support from their healthcare provider,鈥� Sturko said.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is working in partnership with the Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit in the investigation. Surrey Fire Service firefighters were also on scene Wednesday afternoon.

Police said they are in the evidence-gathering phase, and no further information will be provided at this time.

aaron.hinks@surreynowleader.com
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