Woman found in Kitsilano was slain, police say

Vancouver police have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of a woman's body in the Kitsilano neighbourhood Monday morning.

Police said they were called to an apartment building at 3:46 a.m. following reports of a break and enter, and discovered the body of a woman in the parking lot on the building's north side.

"We are now investigating a homicide,'' said Const. Tim Fanning.

A large area surrounding the building at 1459 Chestnut St. has been roped off and dozens of police officers are searching the building and gathering evidence.

They ordered a number of residents to leave their apartments, interviewing them and keeping them from returning to their homes.

"There are a lot of officers here gathering evidence,'' said Fanning.

Police have not yet revealed the identity of the dead woman or where exactly the body was found.

The investigation is focused in an area at the foot of the Burrard Street Bridge, near the Molson Brewery.