A 49-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in relation to the death of a 47-year-old man at a homeless encampment in Abbotsford on Friday (April 24).
According to a news release from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), Ryan Easton faces one count of manslaughter and remains in custody pending his next court appearance.
“Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident where parties were known to each other,” IHIT said.
The 47-year-old man was found dead after a fire at a homeless camp on Friday evening in Abbotsford. A suspect was arrested the same evening.
Abbotsford Police Department and Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service were called to the fire around 6:09 p.m. at the encampment located on provincial land in the 31500 block of South Fraser Way.
The fire was limited to a single wooden structure.
“Following fire suppression efforts by Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, a man was found deceased. Further investigation has confirmed this incident to be a homicide,” Sgt. Paul Walker, APD media relations officer stated in a press release on Friday.
IHIT deployed to Abbotsford and took over the investigation with support from BC Coroners Service, Forensic Identification Services, and Abbotsford Police Department’s major crime unit.
Those with information are urged to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
-With files from Jenna Hauck