Maple Ridge woman missing since discharge from hospital in 2023 has died, RCMP say

Rebecca Harbowy is seen in this photo provided by her family.

A woman who had been missing since security escorted her out of Ridge Meadows Hospital in November 2023 is deceased, according to RCMP.

The Ridge Meadows detachment provided few details in an update on the case Friday, saying only that then-36-year-old Maple Ridge resident Rebecca Harbowy was last seen “walking east on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street” around 2:05 a.m. on Nov. 23, 2023.

She was reported missing that same day.

Police did not say where or when Harbowy was confirmed dead, nor how she died.

“No further information will be provided at this time,” a Ridge Meadows RCMP news release reads.

In December 2023, Harbowy’s mother and sister spoke to CTV News about her disappearance and their frustration with health officials who allowed her to be discharged from the hospital.

Rebecca Harbowy had a drug addiction and was trying to detox at her parents’ home, where she lived, according to her family.

“That afternoon, she became very confused and disorientated and was saying strange things and not making sense,” said Debbie Harbowy, Rebecca’s mother, at the time.

An ambulance was called, and after paramedics checked her over, Rebecca was taken to Ridge Meadows Hospital.

“The night doctor told me she would be admitted and be there for a minimum of three days,” said Debbie.

Instead, after an incident between Rebecca and a health-care worker – which the family said involved Rebecca throwing a container of apple juice at a nurse – she was escorted out of the hospital and off the property by security.

She had no coat, no phone, no wallet and no money, according to her family.

“She didn’t go in a homeless person,” said Rachel Bertoia, Rebecca’s sister.

“She came in from an ambulance with someone who loves her. Why would they think it’s OK to leave someone on the side of the road without anything, without anyone? At 1:30 in the morning, a woman, a 36-year-old woman, they didn’t even care to call her a cab. It’s infuriating.”

• Read more: Family says Fraser Health failed missing Maple Ridge woman

Police said the investigation into Harbowy’s death is “active,” and they encourage anyone with information that could help further the investigation to call 604-463-6251 and reference file number 2023-23402.

“The RCMP extends our condolences to the family and friends of Rebecca Harbowy,” the release reads. “The Ridge Meadows RCMP would also like to thank the public, community partners and volunteers for their assistance with this investigation thus far.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Michele Brunoro