16.13°C Vancouver

Sep 15, 2023 6:36 PM - The Canadian Press

83-year-old man charged & arrested in double murder case in B.C.

Share On
83-year-old-man-charged-arrested-in-double-murder-case-in-b-c
Homicide team spokesman Sgt. Timothy Pierotti says the shooting appears to be an isolated incident between neighbours.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Homicide detectives have identified two people found dead in a home in rural Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday and say an elderly suspect has been charged.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 58-year-old John Kavaloff and 67-year-old Valerie Smith were found in the home as officers responded to reports of gunfire.

Police say 83-year-old Robert Freeman was nearby and was taken into custody a short time later.

Court documents show he made a first appearance before a judge late Thursday and is due to return to provincial court in Chilliwack on Sept. 25.

Homicide team spokesman Sgt. Timothy Pierotti says the shooting appears to be an isolated incident between neighbours.

He urges any witnesses to contact police, and says there are no immediate plans to release any further information about the case.

Latest news

BCAug 26, 2026

2 Killed in Horrific Crash Near Lytton, 44-Year-Old Charged a Year Later

A 44-year-old Williams Lake man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash on Highway 1 near Lytton last year that claimed the lives of two people. Joel Chenier has been charged under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act with driving without due care and attention. The crash occurred around 5 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2025, near Spences Bridge. According to police, a black Ford SUV crossed the centre line of the highway and collided head-on with an oncoming pickup truck. The impact was so severe that both vehicles caught fire. A woman travelling in the SUV and a man in the pickup truck died at the scene.
why-was-the-us-deal-rejected-poilievre-demands-answers-from-carney-government
CanadaAug 26, 2026

Why Was the US Deal Rejected? Poilievre Demands Answers from Carney Government

Canada’s main opposition Conservative Party is stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government over a deal with the United States that was ultimately rejected. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman are demanding that the government release the documents related to the failed agreement, arguing that Canadians deserve transparency about what was discussed and why the deal was turned down. Poilievre has repeatedly raised the issue, saying Canadians are united in defending Canadian workers and industries against what he described as illegal U.S
WorldAug 26, 2026

Ebola Claims More Than 2,700 Lives in Congo, WHO Issues Warning

The Ebola outbreak in Uganda has officially come to an end, but the situation remains critical in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the virus continues to spread rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Wednesday that Uganda’s Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, was over. The Ugandan government had declared the country Ebola-free on July 28 after reporting 20 cases and two deaths. WHO continued monitoring the situation until this week to ensure that no chains of transmission had been missed. In contrast, the outbreak in the DRC continues to
WorldAug 26, 2026

15 Newborn Babies Killed in Fire at Islamabad Hospital Nursery

Fifteen newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on Wednesday. Hospital officials said 16 newborns were present in the nursery when the incident occurred, but only one baby was rescued. According to rescue officials, an air-conditioner compressor inside the nursery exploded, triggering a fire that quickly spread through the ward. Rescue teams rushed to the hospital after receiving information about the blaze and launched a rescue operation. Officials said the fire has now been brought under cont
AlbertaAug 26, 2026

16-year-old arrested after threats to shoot students at northern Alberta school

A 16-year-old youth has been arrested in northern Alberta after allegedly threatening to shoot students at a school just days before the start of the new academic year. RCMP officers said they received a report in Manning about a student threatening to shoot other students on the first day of school. After nearly six days of investigation, Mounties executed a search warrant at a local residence on Tuesday. During the search, police seized seven weapons. RCMP said the 16-year-old is expected to face a charge related to uttering threats, subject to Crown approval. Manning RCMP Sgt. Gavin Ool sai

Related News