This article discusses intimate partner violence and may be triggering to some readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse contact the Kelowna Women’s Shelter 24/7 support line at 250-763-1040 or text 236-970-0704. In an emergency, call 911.
It was one year ago on July 4, that Bailey McCourt died following a brazen daytime attack allegedly carried out by her estranged ex-husband.
Police were called to Mill Creek Crossing at Enterprise Way and Spall Rd. around 12:45 p.m. for a hit-and-run collision and an assault in the parking lot.
A car chase ensued and James Plover was apprehended just before 2 p.m. at Glenmore and Shanks roads.
McCourt and her friend and coworker, Carrie Wiebe, were both transported to hospital where McCourt died from her injuries.
Plover has been charged with first-degree murder in McCourt’s death and is in custody while awaiting trial.
This is not the first time the accused has had a run-in with the law. Plover had been found guilty of assault by choking and three counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm from an incident in 2024 at the Kelowna Courthouse, just hours before McCourt died. Plover was not held in custody after the guilty verdict and was free to leave the courthouse with a future date for sentencing.
On Nov. 27, 2025, Plover was sentenced to 12 months for the 2024 charges, but had only 147 days left after time served.
Plover is forgoing his right to a pre-trial hearing for the charges related to McCourt’s death. The accused was originally charged with second-degree murder, but the charges were upgraded to first-degree murder on Nov. 25, 2025.
In the weeks following the McCourt’s death, B.C. Premier David Eby said, “In my opinion, and an opinion shared by many Canadians, there is a special place in hell for men who murder or attack their spouses or girlfriends,” Eby said. “Ensuring that they stay behind bars and are not released to complete a cycle of violence is a priority for us, and I am grateful that the priority is shared by the Prime Minister.”
McCourt’s death sparked a campaign to change laws, and on June 17, Bill C-225, also known as Bailey’s Law, received Royal Assent.
Bailey’s Law amends the Criminal Code to create a new offence of first-degree murder when the murder is committed against an intimate partner, impose sentences of life imprisonment without the possiblity of parole for a minimum of 10 years when an offender with a history of coercive or controlling conduct is convicted of manslaughter, create new offences when violence is used or threatened against an intimate partner, and increase the detention period of items seized to 180 days.