It has been one year since Vanessa Renteria Valencia, a 37-year-old mother from Cloverdale, was fatally shot by police in her home. Her family and advocates say they are still waiting for answers.
On Sept. 19, 2024, Surrey RCMP responded to a call about a disturbance at a home on 180A Street. Police say Vanessa had barricaded herself in a room with a toddler and was allegedly holding a weapon near the child. Less than an hour later, around 5:30 a.m., she was shot and killed by an officer.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. was notified immediately and launched an investigation. As of Sept. 23, 2025, the IIO says its decision will be released “in the near future” but has not provided a timeline.
Vanessa had moved to Canada from Colombia with her partner in 2022 and was preparing to start English classes the week after her death. Her sister Sandra said Vanessa had been staying in women’s shelters due to intimate partner violence but returned to the Cloverdale home weeks before the incident.
Her death sparked outcry from community advocates and women’s support organizations, who argue that police statements initially dehumanized her and overlooked the realities of domestic violence.
Advocates continue to call for transparency and accountability, while Vanessa’s family says the wait for answers has deepened their grief.
Help for Domestic Violence:
- Surrey Women’s Centre (24/7 support): surreywomenscentre.ca | info@surreywomenscentre.ca | 604-589-1868
- Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS): Crisis Line 604-687-1867 (Metro Vancouver) | 1-855-687-1868 (toll-free) | intake@bwss.org | bwss.org
