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Accused in Vancouver stabbing death will face bail hearing

The 72-year-old man's death marked the city's 19th homicide of 2020.
biltmore
In this file photo from December 2020, Vancouver police search for evidence in an area outside the former Biltmore Hotel on Kingsway after a 72-year-old man was killed.

A man accused of killing a Vancouver senior last winter will face a bail hearing in B.C. Supreme Court.

Anthony Warren Woods is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Alex Gortmaker.

The 72-year-old was stabbed to death at the Biltmore Hotel near Kingsway and East 12th Avenue on Dec. 15, 2020, according to Vancouver police.

“Investigators believe there is no relationship between the victim and suspect,” VPD spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin said at the time. “This is an unfortunate case where the victim and suspect had an altercation that tragically resulted in Mr. Gortmaker getting stabbed.”

Police were called to the area around 2:40 p.m. after receiving reports of a serious assault. They found Gortmaker with multiple stab wounds.

Officers and paramedics attempted to revive him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death marked the city's 19th homicide of the year.

Woods appeared in court on Nov. 24 via video feed from North Fraser Pre-trial Centre.

He is due back in court on Dec. 9.

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