B.C. model found dead in Shanghai

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

A 22-year-old model from B.C. has been found dead in China under mysterious circumstances.

Arvid Chalmers of Saltspring Island said he learned of Diana Gabrielle O'Brien's death yesterday morning.

"She was found dead near Shanghai," Chalmers said. "There will be an autopsy [expected to be performed last night]. We don't know the cause of death. Every thing else is rumour."

Chalmers is a friend of a person contacted by the RCMP to advise of O'Brien's death.

CTV reported last night, however, that police are treating O'Brien's death as a homicide.

It said the news of her death was relayed to the RCMP in B.C. by the federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Chalmers said O'Brien's mother, who is the primary contact on the young model's passport, is currently on holiday in Mexico.

At the time of her death, O'Brien was believed to be working for Jh Model Agency in Shanghai. The agency specializes in providing models to fashion stores, television commercials, promotions and exhibitions.

On its website, Jh describes itself as one of the top agencies for eastern China.

O'Brien's relatives have been told that she was on overnight assignment at the time of her death.