Family confirms Lumby woman found dead, RCMP investigating homicide

A woman who was allegedly abducted from an Okanagan town has been found dead.

In a statement released Tuesday, the RCMP confirmed that Mounties in the North Okanagan “located a deceased female in a rural location” on Sunday during the process of investigating an abduction from the Lumby area.

“A male believed to be involved in this death was arrested in the general vicinity,” the RCMP said. “The Southeast District Major Crime Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation and believe[s] that the female’s death is the result of foul play.”

While the RCMP won’t confirm specifically if it is 44-year-old Tatjana Stefanski, family members, and her current partner have taken to social media.

Tatjana’s daughter Selina confirmed her mother’s death, saying, “Tatjana has been found, unfortunately she isn’t with us anymore. We loved her so so much and shes in a better place now.”

“She was an amazing mother and I would never want anyone else to replace her. My only wish is to be able to talk to her one more time,” she added.

Selina says she hopes “the justice system will figure itself out,” adding she is “at a loss for words.”

Tatjana’s current partner, Jason Gaudreault, also took to social media, promising to love and keep Tatjana’s children safe. “We love you and miss you so much,” he said.

“I personally am overwhelmed with everything that is going on and we are just trying to process our loss. if you all can please respect our time we need. We prayed so hard and acted so fast for a positive outcome but the events are unfortunate,” Gaudreault added.

The RCMP is not confirming any further details relating to the death, and have not confirmed whether any charges have been laid.

Mounties are urging anyone who knows anything about Tatjana’s death, or those who were along Highway 6 to the west of Lumby, within the Village of Lumby, north along Shuswap Avenue or Lumby‐Mabel Lake Road towards and up the east side of Mabel Lake between 7 a.m. on April 13 to 10 a.m. on April 14 to call the RCMP at 1‐877‐987‐8477.

–With files from Sonia Aslam