Cathy Berard was 61 and a mother of five when an evening trip from her East Vancouver home ended in a brutal attack. On July 4, 1996, two of her sons visited her at 6265 Knight Street and left about 9:00 p.m.; investigators believe Berard then went out, possibly planning to visit a liquor store. She was last described wearing a purple blouse and green sweatpants.

Sometime between about 9:00 p.m. that night and 5:30 a.m. the next morning, Berard was assaulted. Police think the attack may have begun on the sidewalk in the 6900 block of Argyle Street and that she was dragged to the southeast corner of the David Thompson Secondary School grounds at 1755 East 55th Avenue, where she suffered exceptionally violent physical and sexual injuries and was abandoned. A jogger found her bleeding and unconscious early on July 5; her facial injuries were so severe family initially had trouble recognizing her.

Berard regained consciousness but never returned to her former life and was moved to long-term care. Vancouver police state she died on January 2, 1999, from injuries and complications stemming from the attack.

If anyone knew Cathy or has information about the area and night of July 4–5, 1996, please come forward.