New Westminster: On June 3, 2015 Charan DHANDWAR was on an evening walk in the 1500 block of 8th Avenue, when she was randomly attacked and killed in the street.
The immediate response of the New Westminster Police Department resulted in the arrest of 23-year-old Julien Cadrain Levasseur.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the New Westminster Police Department worked closely during the evidence gathering process and ensured nothing was overlooked. Mr. Levasseur was charged with Second Degree Murder, and has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter.
On January 30, 2017, Mr.Levasseur was sentenced to six years in prison.
Cpl. Meghan Foster of IHIT says, There are no words to describe how the act of homicide changes the lives of people affected by it. This was a tragic and senseless crime, and this outcome does not bring her back.
- The Dhandwar family States:
The senseless actions of one individual that led to the horrific event has left our family with unsurmountable grief. She was taken so suddenly and we dearly miss our mother, wife, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She is missed by her community and friends.
We cannot express how much we appreciate the love and support our family have received from our extended families, friends, as well as from community members as we continue to mourn our loss.
We acknowledge that this tragedy has not only directly affected our family, but affected so many other people.
We would like to thank the following people for their selfless assistance and for their genuine support to our family; The citizens of the New Westminster, Lord Tweedsmuir Community School staff, our neighbours and the witnesses who alerted emergency responders, the firefighters and paramedics, and New Westminster Victim Services. We appreciate the investigative efforts of NWPD and the I-HIT Team, especially Det./Cst. Adam Klaver.
