A manslaughter charge has been laid in Abbotsford in relation to the stabbing death of a 41-year-old man in December.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Monday (June 8) that Jesse Chamberlain-Lohr, 36, of Abbotsford has been charged with the death of Harvey James Lee-Bernick.
Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT said the incident is believed to be “targeted and isolated” and involves people who were known to each other.
“IHIT investigators worked tirelessly to determine the exact role and involvement of a number of individuals who were identified at the outset,” Fong said.
“The laying of a charge is a significant step, and our thoughts are with Mr. Bernick’s loved ones as the court proceedings begin.”
Fong released a statement from Bernick’s family:
“He is deeply missed and was loved by so many people whose lives he touched. His death has had an immense impact on our family, leaving a loss from which we will never fully recover. We remain hopeful that justice will be served.”
Police previously reported that officers responded to reports of a stabbing just after 11 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2025 at a house in the 33900 block of McCrimmon Drive.
Inside, they found Bernick suffering from life-threatening injuries. First responders attempted lifesaving efforts but he died in hospital.
Several people were identified at the scene and one man was arrested.
Charges against Chamberlain-Lohr were approved on Saturday (June 6). He remains in custody.
No further details have been released, including the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and how the two men knew each other.
Provincial court records indicate that Chamberlain-Lohr also faces two counts of assault, one count of assault by choking, one count of uttering threats, and two counts of breaching a release order from May 30, June 2 and June 5 of this year.
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