UPDATE: The BC Coroners Service has confirmed that a hand and foot found in packages received by two Vancouver schools today are human.
Vancouver Police say two packages, one containing a hand and the other, a foot, arrived at two schools today.
The suspicious packages arrived this afternoon, the hand at False Creek Elementary and the foot at St. Georges School.
VPD Major Crime investigators and the B.C. Coroner’s Service have been called in to assist with the investigation.
Police say there's no indication that the packages are targeting any students or staff. Representatives at the St. George’s School say VPD is suggesting that the targeting of the school is random.
VPD Deputy Chief Warren Lemcke said the investigation will center on finding out the identity of the victim and from where the packages were mailed.
“This must have been a very traumatic incident for all those involved in opening these packages.”
VPD is liaising with police in Montreal and other police agencies. Montreal Police say that the hand, foot and head of Lin Jun, believed to be killed by Magnotta, is still missing.
Investigators couldn't say if the packages were delivered by mail or courier.
The mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson said in a statement he finds today’s events at False Creek Elementary and St. George's School to be ‘deeply disturbing and repugnant.’
“The police investigation is still in its early stages, but it is my hope that justice for these acts will be delivered swiftly. My thoughts are with the staff, parents and students of each school community."
Full statement from St. George's School:
The Vancouver Police are investigating the delivery of a suspicious package at St. George’s School that appears to contain human remains. A similar investigation is being conducted at another local public school.
There is no danger to anyone at the School, and our Students are in no way affected by this matter. We are not aware of any connection of the package to the School, and at this point, the VPD are suggesting that the targeting of the School is random.
We will release more information as soon as we are able to in order to keep our immediate community informed.
Full statement from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson:
"Both as Mayor and as a father, I find today's events at False Creek Elementary and St. George's School to be deeply disturbing and repugnant, and the VPD will have my full support at every stage of this investigation. The police investigation is still in its early stages, but it is my hope that justice for these acts will be delivered swiftly. My thoughts are with the staff, parents and students of each school community."
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.