Police in York
Region are probing the sudden death of a 21-year-old woman at an
after-
hours
club in Markham.
The woman, who
turned 21 on June 4, was found unconscious and not breathing at
the back of Club Rio at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday. Police say
drugs may have been a factor in the girl's death.
Though police are
not publicly releasing her name, they say the woman is Asian and
she was visiting Ontario from Surrey B.C. She traveled here with
her parents, Det. Const. Jim Woodcock said.
Her parents, who
were traveling in Montreal this weekend, have been notified.
"We're just
waiting to meet with them" he said. "They were inconsolable."
For now
investigators are trying to determine who accompanied the woman
to the club. Though she was seen with two Asian men in the hours
before she died, police think she may have gone to the club with
another woman.
However, when
security guards inside the venue found the woman, her companions
had vanished.
"They just left
her there," Woodcock said. "They just left her there to die."
The woman was
rushed to Markham-Stoufville Hospital where she was pronounced
dead. An autopsy on her body confirmed to police that the woman
did not die of a physical injury. Toxicology tests are now being
conducted.
Investigators
have a list of about 300 people who attended the Woodbine Avenue
hot spot. They are looking to speak to anyone who may have seen
the woman inside Club Rio.
Woodcock said the
club owners and security guards have been cooperating with
police and have handed over surveillance video.
Club Rio is an
all-ages club that is open from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. Woodcock
said the club used to be known as Viva Nightclub, a spot where
police were routinely called to break up fights and arrest
people for drugs.
Police even
investigated a homicide there but ever since the club was taken
over by new owners, authorities have not had much trouble with
the venue, Woodcock said.
"Right now we're
pleading with the people that were with her to come forward and
talk to us," he said.
Anyone with
information can call investigators at 905-881-1221 ext.7541.
