A Canadian court has found three Indian-origin men guilty of the first-degree murder of a couple during a home invasion in Abbotsford in 2022.
Three men of Indian origin—Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh, and Khushveer Toor—have been convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of a Canadian couple, Arnold and Joanne De Jong, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, in May 2022. The British Columbia Supreme Court announced the verdict on Friday after a detailed trial, during which the prosecution presented various pieces of circumstantial evidence linking the accused to the crime.
The couple, aged 77 and 76 respectively, was discovered dead in their home on May 9, 2022. Arnold De Jong was found asphyxiated with his head and face wrapped in duct tape, while Joanne De Jong had suffered fatal injuries, including having her throat slit. The court heard that the couple had been bound with ropes, highlighting the brutality of the incident.
During the proceedings, Justice Brenda Brown noted that all three men were ‘willing, knowledgeable, and integral participants’ in the murders. She dismissed the defence’s argument that the killings resulted from a botched robbery, affirming that the evidence pointed towards a financially motivated crime.
Evidence presented in court included DNA found at the scene, which linked the accused to the crime, and a metal baseball bat discovered in the suspects’ vehicle. The court also heard that the defendants had previously worked for a cleaning company owned by one of them, which had done work at the De Jongs’ home on multiple occasions.
Investigation findings indicated that the three men had conducted searches on the internet regarding the repercussions of murder in Canada, suggesting premeditation. The prosecution argued that this, coupled with their quick use of the stolen credit cards belonging to the De Jongs shortly after the murders, illustrated a coordinated effort to rob the couple and eliminate them as witnesses.
Family members of the De Jongs expressed relief following the guilty verdict. Heather Hoogland, one of the couple’s daughters, reflected on the emotional toll, stating, “It’s very moving that today is the four-year anniversary.” Another daughter, Sandra Barthel, highlighted the psychological strain endured during the proceedings but noted the importance of the verdict for her family.
The court will announce the sentencing for the three convicted men on May 28, 2026. The case has drawn significant attention in Canada, and Crown attorneys expressed their gratitude for the families’ support throughout the trial, acknowledging the unique challenges it presented.
In her final remarks, Justice Brown confirmed that it was clearly established that the murders were not isolated acts but rather executed in unison by all three men. Crown attorney William Dorsey emphasised the impact of the guilty verdict, stating that it allowed the family to begin a process of healing following a prolonged and traumatic experience.
