Michael Bonin was found murdered in Hope last April. Three men with connections to Kelowna appeared in court on first degree murder charges today, Jan. 15, 2018.
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January 15, 2018 - 11:51 AM
KELOWNA – Three men are due in Kelowna court charged in a murder that happened in Hope last April.
Ryan James Watt, 26, Joshua Albert Fleurant, 20, and Jared Paul Jorgenson, 27, have been charged with the first degree murder of 20-year-old Prince George resident Michael Walter Bonin. Fleurant and Watt also have connections around B.C. and the Thompson-Okanagan.
Court records show Bonin was killed April 19, 2017 in Hope. His mother Annette Bonin says Michael moved to Rycroft, Alberta six months ago.
The Integrated Homicide Investigative Team announced today, Jan. 14 that on April 20, 2017 at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Hope RCMP and the Chilliwack Serious Crimes Unit responded to a report of a body found on a rural forest service road north of Hope.
Investigators believe this homicide was not a random incident.
Annette Bonin says her son did not deserve to die.
“He was a loving, helpful and loyal young man who had lots to live for. The pain of losing Michael will never go away and many lives have been changed by this selfish act. I hope those responsible for taking Michael’s life are held accountable,” she says in a media release.
Fleurant is also charged with arson damaging property from the same day in Merritt. Documents say he “did intentionally cause damage by fire to a black 1992 Honda Accord bearing Alberta licence plate BWV7358.”
Watt and Fleurant have lengthy criminal histories throughout B.C. including files and offences in Kamloops and Kelowna.
Fleurant also appears to have known Bonin. They were both charged with theft of a vehicle from Kamloops among other charges.
Anyone with information, who may not have already come forward to police, is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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