ABBOTSFORD – The tattoo across slain gangster Bobby Digeorgio’s chest asked the Lord to protect him from his friends “because I can handle my enemies.”
But Digeorgio could not protect himself or girlfriend Jessica Illes from the killers that left them dead at separate Abbotsford crime scenes in recent days.
Cpl. Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed Wednesday that Digeorgio, 24, and Illes, 23, had been identified as victims of murders on Aug. 27 and 30 – two of seven over the last week.
Digeorgio was found dead in a burned out car near the U.S. border Aug. 27, while Illes’ body was found in the couple’s rental suite at 31381 McConachie Sunday night.
The couple was caught up in organized crime and well-known to police, Carr said.
In fact, IHIT investigators probing Digeorgio’s murder knocked on the door of the McConachie house Sunday and came upon the body of Illes.
"Investigators secured the residence and proceeded with a secondary homicide investigation,” Carr said.
“Illes and Digeorgio were last seen together and were in a relationship.
He said the pair was “known for involvement in criminal activity and the drug trade.”
Carr said investigators have not linked the slain pair to any other murders – including five others being probed by IHIT since last week.
The Vancouver Sun has learned that Digeorgio and Illes may have been trying to move up from the street-level drug trade at the time they were killed.
It is the third time this year that an Abbotsford murder has involved a pair of victims known to each other and active in the drug trade.
Sean (Smurph) Murphy, 21, and his associate Ryan (Whitey) Richards, 19, were gunned down in Abbotsford April 1. And on May 1, high school students Dilsher Gill and Joseph Randay were shot dead. All four young men were associated to the Red Scorpion gang.
Illes and Digeorgio each had criminal records.
The two were charged together in Mission in May 2008 with dangerous driving, failure to stop for police, assault with a weapon and possession of stolen property.
Digeorgio was convicted on three counts: possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, flight from a police officer and dangerous driving.
Illes was convicted an assault in Abbotsford and several breaches. Charges of break and enter and theft were dismissed.
Sgt. Shinder Kirk, of the Integrated Gang Task Force, said it is hard to know the reason for the latest series of shootings and murders.
But the violence shows that the drug trade is deadly, Kirk said.
“It certainly does send the message that if you are involved in gangs or the drug trade, at any level, you could become a victim,” Kirk said.
“It is still that maelstrom of the drug trade causing all this violence.”
Even friends of Illes and Digeorgio posting on a Facebook tribute page acknowledged the gang links.
Poster Tanya Lonsdale said she hoped all the “drug gangsters” rot in hell for the two murders.
“I’m gunna miss you bro’ – you’ve always had my back and I thank you for that,” she said of Digeorgio. “You kept me safe, and its gunna be hard for me for the next while but I know your in a better place.”
Lonsdale also made reference to “payback,” implying the violence may continue.
Melanie Marie Flesher said she couldn’t believe the great loss.
“I have so many good memories of these two amazing people. I remember being a little girl and having Bobby and Jess around with my big sister,” she said. “Bad things do happen to good people. My heart goes out to everyone who is hurting from this loss.”
kbolan@vancouversun.com
Read Kim Bolan’s blog, The Real Scoop, at vancouversun.com/bolan
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