An Abbotsford man is facing a second-degree murder charge in relation to the July death of 62-year-old Clarence Crothers.
On July 4, the Abbotsford Police Department were called to the 33500-block of Braun Avenue after a suspicious death was reported. When police arrived, they found a deceased man who was later identified as Crothers. Investigators determined the victim had injuries that were consistent with a homicide and called in the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) to take over the case.
In the early stages of the investigation, police identified 50-year-old Abbotsford resident Jeffrey Charles Halicki as a suspect.
Police said the men knew one another and believe the murder was not random but could not give details on the motive or the evidence collected.
After more than a month of investigating and collecting evidence, Halicki was arrested on Aug. 11 and charged with second degree murder.
Crothers’ family described the 62-year-old man as “fun-loving and a caring father.” In a statement the family said, “… his heart, smile and personality to speak to anyone and everyone and be one’s advocate was a shining beacon of light that will never leave those that he has touched.”
IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Meghan Foster said Halicki was known to police and had a criminal record relating to robbery, weapons possession and manslaughter.
He will remain in custody and make his first appearance in Abbotsford Provincial Court on Monday.