A Case Shrouded in Neglect and Injustice

1. A Disappearance Ignored

Chelsea Poorman vanished on September 6, 2020, after attending a party in downtown Vancouver. Her mother, Sheila Poorman, reported her missing the following day, pleading with police to act swiftly due to Chelsea’s physical disabilities and brain injury, which made her particularly vulnerable. However, the VPD’s response was disturbingly indifferent.

2. A Body Left to Decay

Chelsea’s skeletal remains were discovered on April 22, 2022, in the backyard of a $7 million mansion in Shaughnessy—a neighborhood synonymous with wealth and privilege. Her body had remained there for over a year, unnoticed and ignored, while her family desperately searched for answers. Even more disturbing, her cranium and several fingers were missing, raising chilling questions about what truly happened to her.

3. Police Failures Laid Bare

The VPD’s handling of the case has been nothing short of appalling. Despite being reported missing on September 7, 2020, police waited 10 days to issue a public bulletin. Chelsea’s family alleges that officers dismissed their concerns, with one officer callously stating he had “better things to do” than work on missing persons cases. Left to fend for themselves, the family was forced to search for Chelsea without police assistance.

4. An Investigation Long Overdue

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has launched an investigation into the conduct of several VPD officers, focusing on allegations of neglect of duty. A retired judge has been appointed to oversee the case, but many question why it took so long for this investigation to begin. Despite the family’s complaints being filed years ago, justice remains elusive.

A Family’s Fight for Justice

1. Sheila Poorman’s Relentless Struggle

Chelsea’s mother, Sheila Poorman, has been a tireless advocate for her daughter, fighting against a system that failed her at every turn. Sheila recalls the early days of Chelsea’s disappearance, when she was forced to comb the streets of Hastings alone, begging for information while police did nothing. Her pain and frustration are palpable as she demands accountability and systemic change.

2. Indigenous Voices Rising

Indigenous organizations, including the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), have condemned the VPD’s handling of the case, calling it a stark example of systemic racism and neglect toward Indigenous women. Advocates are demanding an apology to the Poorman family and sweeping reforms to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG).

A Broken System Exposed

1. The MMIWG Crisis Ignored

Chelsea’s case is a grim reminder of the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Indigenous women are disproportionately targeted by violence, yet their cases are often dismissed or ignored by law enforcement. The VPD’s failure to act in Chelsea’s case exemplifies this systemic injustice.

2. Police Accountability in Question

The VPD’s actions—or lack thereof—have shattered public trust. How could a young woman’s body lie undiscovered for over a year in one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods? Why did it take so long for police to take her disappearance seriously? These questions demand answers, and the officers involved must be held accountable.

What Happens Next?

1. A Long-Awaited Investigation

The OPCC has promised a thorough and impartial investigation, but many wonder if it will lead to real consequences. While the VPD claims the case remains open, they have already declared Chelsea’s death “not suspicious,” leaving her family with more questions than answers.

2. A Call to Action

Chelsea’s story is a rallying cry for justice and systemic change. Her family, supported by Indigenous advocates and the broader community, is demanding accountability from the VPD and reforms to ensure no other family suffers the same fate.

Conclusion: A Scandal That Demands Justice

The VPD’s handling of Chelsea Poorman’s disappearance is a disgrace—a shocking example of neglect and indifference that has left a family shattered and a community outraged. This case is not just about one woman’s tragic death; it is about a broken system that continues to fail Indigenous women and their families.

Chelsea’s story must be a turning point. It’s time to hold the VPD accountable, demand justice for Chelsea, and fight for a future where no one is ignored, forgotten, or left behind. The question is: will those in power finally listen, or will this scandal be swept under the rug like so many others?