British Columbia

Missing New Westminster mother found dead, police say

More than two months after she went missing, 44-year-old Nirla Sharma has been found dead, New Westminster police say.

Nirla Sharma's body found near Fraser River on the border of New Westminster and Burnaby, police say

Nirla Sharma was last seen at her New Westminster, B.C., home on Feb. 23. (New Westminster Police Department)

More than two months after she went missing, 44-year-old Nirla Sharma has been found dead, New Westminster police say.

Police said they were alerted on Sunday to a report of a body on the shoreline of the Fraser River on the border of New Westminster and Burnaby.

Sharma was last seen by her family inside her New Westminster home on Feb. 23. 

Video surveillance released by police appeared to show Sharma walking alone in the city's Queensborough Landing business area at 3:27 a.m. PT on Feb. 24.

"This is a tragic conclusion in the search for Mrs. Sharma. At this time, there is no evidence of foul play, but the cause of death is yet to be determined," Sgt. Jeff Scott said in a release Monday.

The B.C. Coroners Service is working to determine the cause of death.

Police say Nirla Sharma's body was discovered on the shoreline of the Fraser River. (Shane MacKichan)

Police previously said a family member heard their front door chime around 4 a.m. the morning Sharma went missing. 

Sharma's daughter Vanessa said the only thing missing from the house was her mother's Apple watch, which police used to try to locate her.

WATCH | Video surveillance of Nirla Sharma released by the police

Surveillance video shows Nirla Sharma walking alone on the night of her disappearance

5 years ago
Duration 0:24
Video footage obtained by the New Westminster Police Department shows 44-year-old Nirla Sharma walking through the Queensborough Landing business area at 3:27 a.m. on February 24th, 2020.

Vanessa said her mother left the house without her debit and credit cards.

She previously told CBC News the family is shaken by her mother's disappearance and doesn't know of any reason why she would leave the house.