‘She had the biggest heart’: Friends remember London woman found dead next to dumpster
CBC
Friends of a London woman who was found dead east of London’s downtown core last week are remembering her as an “angel” who was known for her kindness.
The body of 37-year-old Jessica Rose Bakker was found by a member of the public near King and Maitland streets on Feb. 17 around 1:30 p.m., London police said in a statement.
“She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and I know people say that a lot when someone passes, but it really is the truth,” said Caroline Pugh-Roberts, who was a friend of Bakker’s.
Pugh-Roberts lived in the same Old East Village apartment building as Bakker until last February, when a fire broke out and some residents were displaced.
While Bakker never moved back, Pugh-Roberts said the two of them stayed in touch. They last had dinner together at Pugh-Roberts’ apartment at the end of January.
“She was well-loved around here and everybody wants to know exactly what happened. They’re concerned. She had a lot of really good friends and people still care about her,” she said.
“It’s going to sound corny, but she was an angel. She really was. Jessica was always busy helping people,” Pugh-Roberts added. “Her heart was huge.”
London police are still investigating the cause of Bakker’s death, but have charged a 55-year-old London man with one count of improper/indecent interference with a dead body.
Court documents show that the accused placed Bakker’s body inside garbage bags and left it beside the garbage dumpster behind 450 King St., where he lived.
“She should have never been found by a dumpster because Jess has never been behind a dumpster,” said Pugh-Roberts. “That’s not Jess. That was never Jess.”
Pugh-Roberts said she never heard Bakker talk about visiting the King street apartment or any other residences nearby. She said Bakker’s death has left her with more questions than answers.
“It makes no sense at all. She shouldn’t have been there.”
London police said in an email on Tuesday that Bakker was not reported as missing prior to her body being located.
A short obituary for Bakker, posted to Denning's of Forest Funeral Home’s website, says Bakker was a mother to four children.
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