Topline: Three defendants face life sentences after a judge ruled they calculated the May 2022 killings of two retirees.
Published: May 13, 2026 10:00 am ET
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Victims Joanne and Arnold De Jong (via Integrated Homicide Investigation Team)
ABBOTSFORD, BC — A British Columbia judge found three men guilty of first-degree murder for the May 2022 killings of a retired couple who were found bound and dead in their beds.
Justice Brenda Brown convicted Abhijeet Singh, Khushveer Toor and Gurkaran Singh for the deaths of Arnold De Jong, 77, and Joanne De Jong, 76. As per the CBC, the judge rejected a defense theory that the deaths were part of a robbery gone wrong and lacked premeditation.
Brown described the killings as “intimate and prolonged” and said the evidence showed “calculation and determination.” The Vancouver Sun reported the verdict was delivered in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
The couple was found dead on the morning of May 9, 2022, in their Abbotsford home. Their deaths occurred one day after they spent Mother’s Day with their three daughters and grandchildren.
Court records show Arnold De Jong was found with tape wrapped around his head, which obstructed his nose and mouth. His cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation.
Joanne De Jong was found beside him with her throat slashed and her head bludgeoned. Both victims had their hands and feet bound with rope.
Prosecutors said the three men worked for a cleaning company owned by Abhijeet Singh. The men had performed work at the couple’s home several times before the attack.
During the trial, the Crown presented evidence that the men stole credit cards, checks and a power washer. They fled the scene and immediately used the stolen cards for personal payments.
The defendants also tried to cash checks made out to themselves. Prosecutors stated that DNA from all three men was located at the crime scene.
Abhijeet Singh conducted internet searches about how Canada punishes murderers in the days following the killings. Prosecutors described these searches as “exceptionally damning.”
All three men are in their 20s. They are scheduled to be sentenced May 28 in Abbotsford.
Sandra Barthel, one of the couple’s daughters, said the family continues to carry a life sentence of grief. She said the family did not realize the Mother’s Day celebration would be their final goodbye.
“I think we all tried to distract ourselves somewhat with work and our kids. And I think we went in knowing that no matter what, we’re the ones with the life sentence,” Barthel said. “I think we had to tell ourselves that a verdict isn’t going to make us whole again.”
Kimberley Coleman, another daughter, said her parents were kind and loving people who cannot be replaced. She described the first-degree murder convictions as bittersweet.
Attorneys for the three defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The men remain in custody pending their sentencing hearing later this month.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Canadian Judge Convicts 3 Men in Retired Couple’s ‘Intimate’ Killings
Three defendants face life sentences after a judge ruled they calculated the May 2022 killings of two retirees.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 13, 2026 10:00 am ET
Victims Joanne and Arnold De Jong (via Integrated Homicide Investigation Team)
ABBOTSFORD, BC — A British Columbia judge found three men guilty of first-degree murder for the May 2022 killings of a retired couple who were found bound and dead in their beds.
Justice Brenda Brown convicted Abhijeet Singh, Khushveer Toor and Gurkaran Singh for the deaths of Arnold De Jong, 77, and Joanne De Jong, 76. As per the CBC, the judge rejected a defense theory that the deaths were part of a robbery gone wrong and lacked premeditation.
Brown described the killings as “intimate and prolonged” and said the evidence showed “calculation and determination.” The Vancouver Sun reported the verdict was delivered in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
The couple was found dead on the morning of May 9, 2022, in their Abbotsford home. Their deaths occurred one day after they spent Mother’s Day with their three daughters and grandchildren.
Court records show Arnold De Jong was found with tape wrapped around his head, which obstructed his nose and mouth. His cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation.
Joanne De Jong was found beside him with her throat slashed and her head bludgeoned. Both victims had their hands and feet bound with rope.
Prosecutors said the three men worked for a cleaning company owned by Abhijeet Singh. The men had performed work at the couple’s home several times before the attack.
During the trial, the Crown presented evidence that the men stole credit cards, checks and a power washer. They fled the scene and immediately used the stolen cards for personal payments.
The defendants also tried to cash checks made out to themselves. Prosecutors stated that DNA from all three men was located at the crime scene.
Abhijeet Singh conducted internet searches about how Canada punishes murderers in the days following the killings. Prosecutors described these searches as “exceptionally damning.”
All three men are in their 20s. They are scheduled to be sentenced May 28 in Abbotsford.
Sandra Barthel, one of the couple’s daughters, said the family continues to carry a life sentence of grief. She said the family did not realize the Mother’s Day celebration would be their final goodbye.
“I think we all tried to distract ourselves somewhat with work and our kids. And I think we went in knowing that no matter what, we’re the ones with the life sentence,” Barthel said. “I think we had to tell ourselves that a verdict isn’t going to make us whole again.”
Kimberley Coleman, another daughter, said her parents were kind and loving people who cannot be replaced. She described the first-degree murder convictions as bittersweet.
Attorneys for the three defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The men remain in custody pending their sentencing hearing later this month.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Canadian Judge Convicts 3 Men in Retired Couple’s ‘Intimate’ Killings
Three defendants face life sentences after a judge ruled they calculated the May 2022 killings of two retirees.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 13, 2026 10:00 am ET
Victims Joanne and Arnold De Jong (via Integrated Homicide Investigation Team)
ABBOTSFORD, BC — A British Columbia judge found three men guilty of first-degree murder for the May 2022 killings of a retired couple who were found bound and dead in their beds.
Justice Brenda Brown convicted Abhijeet Singh, Khushveer Toor and Gurkaran Singh for the deaths of Arnold De Jong, 77, and Joanne De Jong, 76. As per the CBC, the judge rejected a defense theory that the deaths were part of a robbery gone wrong and lacked premeditation.
Brown described the killings as “intimate and prolonged” and said the evidence showed “calculation and determination.” The Vancouver Sun reported the verdict was delivered in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
The couple was found dead on the morning of May 9, 2022, in their Abbotsford home. Their deaths occurred one day after they spent Mother’s Day with their three daughters and grandchildren.
Court records show Arnold De Jong was found with tape wrapped around his head, which obstructed his nose and mouth. His cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation.
Joanne De Jong was found beside him with her throat slashed and her head bludgeoned. Both victims had their hands and feet bound with rope.
Prosecutors said the three men worked for a cleaning company owned by Abhijeet Singh. The men had performed work at the couple’s home several times before the attack.
During the trial, the Crown presented evidence that the men stole credit cards, checks and a power washer. They fled the scene and immediately used the stolen cards for personal payments.
The defendants also tried to cash checks made out to themselves. Prosecutors stated that DNA from all three men was located at the crime scene.
Abhijeet Singh conducted internet searches about how Canada punishes murderers in the days following the killings. Prosecutors described these searches as “exceptionally damning.”
All three men are in their 20s. They are scheduled to be sentenced May 28 in Abbotsford.
Sandra Barthel, one of the couple’s daughters, said the family continues to carry a life sentence of grief. She said the family did not realize the Mother’s Day celebration would be their final goodbye.
“I think we all tried to distract ourselves somewhat with work and our kids. And I think we went in knowing that no matter what, we’re the ones with the life sentence,” Barthel said. “I think we had to tell ourselves that a verdict isn’t going to make us whole again.”
Kimberley Coleman, another daughter, said her parents were kind and loving people who cannot be replaced. She described the first-degree murder convictions as bittersweet.
Attorneys for the three defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The men remain in custody pending their sentencing hearing later this month.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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