Foul play suspected in Vancouver’s Joseph Morrissey’s death in Burnaby

Death is reportedly related to drug trade

THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is requesting public assistance to further its ongoing investigation of a suspicious death in Burnaby.

On January 13, just after 7:20 a.m., the Burnaby RCMP responded to a call of a man found dead on the street in the 6700-block of 4th Avenue.  The man, now identified as 51-year-old Joseph Vincent Morrissey of Vancouver, had injuries consistent with foul play and IHIT was called in to take conduct of the investigation.

IHIT is continuing to work closely with the Burnaby RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the B.C. Coroners Service to gather evidence.  The investigation is still in its early stages but investigators believe this incident is related to the drug trade.  An autopsy will be conducted sometime this week. 

“We don’t believe Joseph Morrissey’s death was random,” said IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang on Tuesday.  “We are appealing to those who knew Mr. Morrissey to help us answer the key questions of who was he meeting with and what he was doing prior to his death.  Furthermore, we ask that anyone with dash camera footage or individuals who were walking in the area of Lakefield Drive and 4th Street between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. and may have observed suspicious activities to contact IHIT.” 

“We understand that incidents like this can be shocking, particularly because they don’t happen often in our City and we are committed to working with IHIT to advance this investigation,” said Burnaby RCMP Officer-in-Charge Chief Superintendent Deanne Burleigh.  “We would ask that if any member of our community has information that could assist in this investigation to please contact IHIT.” 

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).