Kamloops RCMP searched the home and yard of this Kamloops property, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, which is believed to be lawyer Rogelio Butch Babaguyo's home.
(LEVI LANDRY / iNFOnews.ca)
March 23, 2022 - 4:32 PM
Police are searching a Columbia Street house in Kamloops in relation to the ongoing investigation into the death of Mohd Abdullah.
Several unmarked police vehicles are parked outside the house today, March 23, with officers moving throughout as the search continues.
Neighbours in the area believe it to the home of local lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, who is facing a charge for interfering with a dead body.
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Neither officers on the scene nor Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Const. Crystal Evelyn would, however, confirm the address is Bagabuyo's.
He is currently being held in custody as he awaits a bail hearing.
According to court documents, police believe Bagabuyo stored Abdullah's body in a plastic bin sometime between March 16 and the next night when his body was later discovered in a vehicle in Dufferin.
Abdullah, 60, was last heard from on March 11 and was later reported as missing when he didn't show up for work three days later.
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Kamloops RCMP made a plea to the public to help locate Abdullah on March 16 and confirmed today that it was his body found in the suspicious death investigation.
Police also confirmed today that the death is being treated as a homicide investigation, but no such charges have been laid against Bagabuyo.
Abdullah worked at Thompson Rivers University for more than 20 years with the faculty of science and open learning.
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In a statement, the university said it is "deeply saddened" by his death and is offering counselling services to those who need it.
The university added that it is cooperating with RCMP as the investigation continues.
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