Homeless woman's body found burning in shopping cart in Vancouver

The body of a middle-aged homeless woman was found burning yesterday in downtown Vancouver after she apparently tried to keep herself warm by burning candles in a temporary shelter she had built over a shopping cart.

The woman, known as Tracey, 47, came to Vancouver last month after living on the streets in the Abbotsford area for a number of years, Vancouver police Const. Jana McGuinness said.

"She was checked by our officers on at least three occasions overnight and offered shelter, which she declined. The officer that checked her last had a conversation with her, offered her a small comfort in the form of a cigarette, and lent her his lighter when she asked to borrow it to light a candle."



Judy Graves, co-ordinator of the tenant assistance program for the City of Vancouver, said she believed the victim was a homeless woman who would frequently stand outside a nearby 7-Eleven store, opening the door for customers.

Graves, who has been an advocate for the homeless for over two decades, speculated the woman might have chosen to remain on the streets during the cold snap because many shelters do not allow street people to bring their shopping carts inside for the night.

A new shelter that will allow shopping carts is scheduled to open within days, said Graves.