British Columbia

Hockey mom Julie Paskall's death prompts police to seek tips

Homicide investigators plan to set up a mobile command post at the Surrey, B.C., arena where hockey mom Julie Paskall was killed while waiting to pick up her son on Sunday evening.

Homicide investigators setting up mobile command at Newton Arena in Surrey, B.C.

Hockey mom Julie Paskall, 53, was brutally beaten in Surrey's Newton Arena parking lot while waiting for her son. She died of her injuries just days later on New Year's Eve 2013. (Family photo)

Homicide investigators plan to set up a mobile command post at the Surrey, B.C., arena where hockey mom Julie Paskall was killed while waiting to pick up her son on Sunday evening.

Julie Paskall, 53, was attacked by a stranger in the parking lot of the Newton Arena. She later died in hospital on Tuesday with her family at her side.

Members of the local hockey association have said she was an active volunteer with her son's team. After her death on Tuesday, a memorial to Paskall was created outside the Newton Arena.

Sgt. Adam MacIntosh says police have received an "abundance" of tips from the public, but plan to use the mobile command centre to canvass the area in the coming days.

Police taped off part of the parking lot at the Newton arena and recreation complex in Surrey, B.C., on Monday following the attack of Julie Paskall. (CBC)

"We need the public's continued support and assistance to solve this crime," said MacIntosh in statement released on Wednesday.

On Thursday and Friday, the Police Command Post will be parked at the Newton Arena with investigators canvassing the neighbourhood for more tips.

On Saturday, Surrey RCMP auxiliary officers will be out putting up posters asking the public for assistance, he said.

Police are reviewing security video from the area, but no description of the suspect has been released and no arrests have been made in the case.

"Unfortunately there can be a lot of video where the quality itself is not of high quality, and it takes a little more work to try and decipher what is being observed," said MacIntosh.

RCMP have issued a public warning for the area around the community centre and a nearby bus loop. They are also investigating whether the recent attack may be linked to another similar attack two weeks earlier on a woman at the Newton bus loop.