National

Two men charged in 2021 Naramata, B.C., murder

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Apr, 2023 05:07 PM

SURREY, B.C. - Two men have been charged with first-degree murder of a British Columbia woman in a case that police say represents a prime example of gang violence spreading across the province.

Twenty-three-year-old Ekene Anigbo of Vancouver and 23-year-old Jalen Falk of Burnaby, B.C., have both been charged in the death of Kathleen Richardson in Naramata, B.C., in June of 2021.

Richardson was found dead in her home by police who were following up on an investigation into the double homicide of brothers Erick and Carlos Fryer the month before.

Richardson's son, Wade Cudmore, would go on to be charged with first-degree murder in the brothers' deaths.

A second man accused in the Fryer brothers' deaths has not been found by police.

At a news conference Monday, RCMP say several others were identified and arrested as co-conspirators in the homicides and all have been released without charges.

"These criminal alliances and acts of violence crossed multiple jurisdictions, which made it necessary for our investigative response to also cross boundaries," Chief Supt. Elija Rain with the B.C. RCMP major crime unit said in a statement.

"Our dedicated police units emphasize our common goal and commitment in making sure that these perpetrators involved in the conflict are held accountable for putting our communities in extreme danger."

Supt. Brian Hunter with the Penticton RCMP said Richardson's murder has been devastating for her family, friends and the entire community of Naramata.

"I hope that the news of these arrests can start the healing process and bring some closure to everyone impacted by these tragedies," he said.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal health offer is $196 billion over a decade

There will also be an immediate one-time $2 billion top-up to this year's Canada Health Transfer to help provinces ease the intense pressure on emergency rooms and children's hospitals. Provinces can also get $1.7 billion over five years to increase wages for personal support workers in long-term care and home care.

Federal health offer is $196 billion over a decade

COVID critic died of drug toxicity: B.C. coroner

The report says Mak Parhar was found by a family member unresponsive in the bathroom of his New Westminster home on Nov. 4, 2021. The coroner's report says Parhar had ethanol, cocaine and fentanyl in his system at the time of death, ruling it accidental due to "mixed illicit drug toxicity."

COVID critic died of drug toxicity: B.C. coroner

West Fraser Timber to curtail Quesnel, B.C., mill

West Fraser says the downtime at the Cariboo mill will help the company align its production capacity, though its plans may change if the fibre forecasts do. The company says the mill expects to mitigate some of the impact on employees through vacation scheduling and alternative work assignments.

West Fraser Timber to curtail Quesnel, B.C., mill

Climate change pushes B.C. urchins to shallows

The study's co-author, Rylan Command, said heat domes and heat waves are becoming more common, and understanding how the ocean responds to those changes can have a direct impact on people.

Climate change pushes B.C. urchins to shallows

One-third of Canadians financially worse off: poll

According to a Leger poll commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies, 34 per cent of Canadian households say they're financially worse off compared with a year ago. The majority of respondents, 58 per cent, said their financial situation was about the same as it was a year ago.

One-third of Canadians financially worse off: poll

Trudeau to present new health offer to premiers

The provinces budgeted about $204 billion for health care in this fiscal year and the Canada Health Transfer was set at $45 billion, or about 22 per cent of that. The premiers want the federal share to increase to 35 per cent.