RCMP make arrests in 2010 historical double homicide
By Nelson Daily Staff
After more than eight years, RCMP arrested two men in connection to a shooting at a residence outside Cranbrook a media release said Monday.
Police said Colin Raymond Correia, 41, and Sheldon Joseph Hunter, 30, have been charged with two counts of 1st Degree Murder. Both are former Cranbrook residents and are known to police. “
“Over several years, as the case progressed, numerous developments occurred which led to investigators being able to identify suspects and provide a comprehensive evidence package to the BC Prosecution Service for their assessment of criminal charges,” the RCMP release said.
The incident began May 29, 2010, when RCMP were called to the scene of a shooting incident at a rural residence on the outskirts of Cranbrook.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased woman and a man in critical condition. The man succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The victims were identified as Leanne Laura MacFarlane, 43, and Jeffrey Todd Taylor, 42.
Police said at the time of the incident, Cranbrook RCMP advised that early indications were that this appeared to be a targeted incident, but the victims may not have been the intended targets.
“The RCMP’s Southeast District (SED) Major Crime Unit was called in and has been investigating the incident since its inception and have been actively moving the investigation forward since that time,” RCMP said.
“The SED Major Crime Unit provided full time resources to the investigation which was dubbed Project E-Navaid. The project focused on finding those responsible, both directly and indirectly, for the homicides.”
RCMP said on Saturday (June 9, 2018) Correia was arrested in Edmonton while Hunter was taken into custody in Drumheller, AB Sunday (June 10, 2018).
Police said both Correia and Hunter will be transported to Vancouver where they will appear in BC Supreme Court on June 13, 2018.
RCMP said this investigation has spanned over eight years and during that time, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit has been assisted by several law enforcement agencies within and outside of the RCMP.
The murders of Jeff and Leanne were tragic, and their deaths deeply impacted the lives of their family members,” says Sgt. Jason Smart, Southeast District Major Crime Unit. “The core group of investigators dedicated to this file would like to thank those family members for their persistence, understanding, patience and courage throughout the last eight years.”
