• WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS THAT MIGHT BE UPSETTING TO SOME READERS
A new charge of second-degree murder has been levelled against Mylie Andre Barron, in the death of Jessica Cunningham.
Sgt. Freda Fong, media relations officer with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), confirmed the newest charge was laid against Barron on Tuesday, March 3.
“We continued our investigation and we uncovered further evidence,” said Fong, before IHIT recommended this latest charge to the prosecution service.
Barron, now 48 years old, was initially charged with one count of interference with a dead body, following the discovery of human remains inside a freezer at the Maple Ridge house he leased with Cunningham.
A statement of facts, agreed on by the Crown and Barron, was read aloud in court on Feb. 3. It revealed Barron and Cunningham were in an intimate relationship and lived together on two levels in the upper portion of a house at the corner of Gillis Place and Harrison Avenue, in Maple Ridge.
At the end of July 2025, their landlord called police for a wellness check on Cunningham at her residence.
Police then started an investigation into her whereabouts on Aug. 20, 2025, and put out a missing person alert on Aug. 22.
When police returned to the residence again on Aug. 26, Barron gave officers permission to search the home. At which time, an officer reportedly discovered the human remains in a freezer.
Barron was subsequently arrested and remains in custody.
On, Sept. 1, police confirmed the body to be that of 43-year-old Cunningham.
Barron has since pleaded guilty to the initial charge of interfering with a dead body. He was due in court this Thursday, March 5, for sentencing on that count.
However, with the second charge being announced just days before, Barron’s sentencing may now be postponed.
“It will be up to the judge,” said Fong.
Damienne Darby, communications counsel with the BC Prosecution Service, anticipates that a warrant will be executed on March 5, and noted that Barron has not yet made a court appearance regarding the new allegation – let alone enter a plea.
Persons charged with a criminal offence are considered not guilty until the charges are proven in court.
“As with all of our investigations, it was important for IHIT investigators to continue to uncover the truth of what happened,” said Fong. “This was a tragic case, and the details have been hard to hear. Our thoughts are with Ms. Cunningham’s family and friends during this difficult time,” she added.