Family mourns slain B.C. woman, Kiara Agnew

B.C., found dead in Mexico on Friday The woman’s family is desperate to get Kiara Agnew’s body home.

“It’s beyond tragic,” Kiara Agnew’s aunt, Kathleen Levesque, told CTV News from her home in Atlantic Canada. He said Agnew grew up in New Brunswick before moving to Dawson Creek, B.C., as a teenager.

“Everybody’s kind of in disbelief, and what we want is justice for Kiara,” Levesque said. “We want him home. We want everything to come out. We want the truth to come out. We want whoever did this to be held accountable.”

Levesque said he spoke with Agnew before the vacation.

“It was his birthday. He was really excited about sailing and snorkeling and visiting the Mayan ruins,” Leveque said.

He said Agnew, who was 23, arrived in Mexico on Thursday with a friend. His body was found Friday at a resort south of Cancun.

Police from the Secretariat of Public Security detained a man after “a lifeless woman was found with possible signs of violence in a hotel in the Xcalacoco district,” SSP Solidaridad said in a statement in Spanish.

Police did not elaborate on the suspect’s relationship to Agnew. Mexican prosecutors said possible charges were being considered.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the cost of returning Agnew’s body to Canada. The fundraiser has surpassed its goal of $20,000.

“Once we get the autopsy, we can work on getting him back to Canada,” Levesque said, adding that there is no timeline for when that might be.

Agnew’s mother, Michelle Levesque, posted on Facebook that her daughter’s body will be returned to Dawson Creek.

“She was bright, so full of life,” Agnew’s good friend Sydney Taylor said. “He was wise beyond his years. He loved music, animals and was a true nature lover.”

After Agnew’s death, the employer released a statement on social media.

“Everyone at Lake View Credit Union is mourning the loss of our teammate and friend, Kiara Agnew. This is a devastating tragedy and loss for our community. We send our love and faith to all others who have been impacted.”

Her aunt asks that people be considerate and respectful to both her and the suspect’s families.

“What we’re all going through is beyond tragic and spreading any kind of hate is not something Kiara would want.”

With files from The Canadian Press