2 women found dead near English Bay in Vancouver

UPDATE, July 23: Deaths of 2 women near Vancouver's English Bay not connected: VPD

Police are looking into the deaths of two women whose bodies were found near Vancouver's English Bay on Sunday and Monday.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says the first woman's body was discovered around 10 a.m. PT on Sunday at Sunset Beach, which is located in the downtown peninsula.

Another woman's body was found on the shoreline near the Kitsilano Yacht Club around 1:30 p.m. PT on Monday, according to police.

Investigators say a cause of death has not been established for either woman, and they are trying to determine whether the two deaths are connected.

"At this point in both of the investigations, we still have a lot more questions than we have answers to," said Sgt. Steve Addison in an interview. "But we're working to fill in those blanks and to learn more and to answer some of those questions."

Addison said police did not know the identities of either woman, but provided some details about the woman found at Sunset Beach on Sunday.

He said she appeared to be in her 20s or 30s and had dark skin, but coroners would be providing police with a more accurate description.

The sergeant said he did not have identifying information about the woman found on Monday near the yacht club but said that she was of a similar age.

"They had been deceased before they were discovered," he said. "And with that information, we're hoping that we'll get a better understanding of what happened to them and be able to determine whether or not their deaths were the result of a crime."

Addison acknowledged the concern in the community, given two women had been found dead in similar circumstances on successive days, but said police would try not to draw conclusions until they further investigate the deaths.

"People, particularly in that Kitsilano neighbourhood, are likely to see a significant increase in visible police presence not only tonight but in the coming days as we work to investigate," he said Monday evening.

Police are asking anyone with more information on the deaths to contact them at 604-717-2500.