Lisa Marie Gavin

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Vancouver Police Department (WA)

Offense Location:

Vancouver, British Columbia

Summary:

A series of sex workers were murdered similarly between April 1988 - August 1990. All 6 of these bodies were found dumped in various parts of the city of Vancouver. All murdered victims were indigenous women working in the downtown east side. During this investigation, VPD's prime suspect passed away due to poor health. However, it doesn't help the case now that more indigenous women are going missing in downtown east side of Vancouver.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

Lisa Marie Gavin (21) → Found strangled, beaten, and raped in a lane behind Knight Street and East 49th. She was found August 12th, 1988. Her body was discovered by a resident at 6:50 a.m on the morning after she was last seen alive. Lisa was the second victim in the timeline of this case and apparently was close with the third victim, Glenna Marie Sowan.

Additional Details:

Lisa and Glenna's murder was only 6 weeks apart. Glenna was found strangled and beaten just behind a house of West 24th Avenue. This case has been cold for years, but the names of the victim's deserve to be remembered regardless of societies views on their choice of work.

Case Last Updated:

Sep 25, 2026