Two Lower Mainland men are facing murder charges for the killing of Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson in June 2021.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / B.C. RCMP
April 17, 2023 - 11:17 AM
Two Lower Mainland men have been charged in connection to the murder of Kathleen Richardson in Naramata.
Jalen Nimai Falk and Ekene Dillichuwu Anigbo are both expected to appear for a bail hearing in Kelowna tomorrow, April 18, after they were charged on Friday, according to online court records.
Richardson, 57, was found dead in her home on June 9, 2021. It took coordination among several police agencies across the province, connecting multiple crimes, to finally lay charges for Richardson's murder.
"Kathy’s murder has been devastating for her family, friends and the entire community of Naramata. There have be so many unanswered questions and moments of angst over the past two years," Penticton RCMP Supt. Brian Hunter said in a news release. "The Penticton RCMP has made these cases one of our top priorities and have dedicated many resources into putting the pieces together. I hope that the news of these arrests can start the healing process and bring some closure to everyone impacted by these tragedies."
Police believed her death was associated with the murder of two Kamloops brothers, Erick and Carlo Fryer, a month earlier. Richardson's son, Wade Cudmore, was later charged for the killing of the Fryer brothers.
Cudmore is in custody for the murder of the Fryer brothers and hasn't been convicted, while co-accused Anthony Graham has been missing since June 2021. He was last seen in May 2021 in Prince George, his friends told RCMP.
After the Fryer murders in May 2021, Prince George RCMP began investigating a targeted shooting on May 25, the same day Graham was last seen, according to a B.C. RCMP news release.
Shahram Tokhy of Coquitlam is now charged with conspiracy to commit murder for the Prince George shooting.
Falk, 23, and Tokhy, 21, have been in custody since April 14. Anigbo, 23, was already in custody for unrelated firearms charges.
"This joint forces operation with BC’s Major Crime section was a significant partnership formed out of the recognition of our respective mandates and leveraged our collective expertise to achieve these results. The (Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.) is committed to continuing to work with and support our policing partners in the collective fight against gangs and the violence that organized crime groups cause in our communities," Asst. Commissioner Manny Mann of the province's gang enforcement squad said.
RCMP from Prince George, Vernon, Penticton and Quesnel worked on the investigations, along with provincial major crime teams, gang enforcement and Vancouver Police Department.
Police said several other people were identified and arrested as co-conspirators, but they've been released without charges.
Police did not name any specific gangs the offenders are associated with.
— This story was updated at 3:31 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2023, with new information from RCMP.
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