Categories: WORLD

Three Indian-origin men convicted of murdering elderly couple in Canada; husband suffocated with duct tape, wife beaten with hammer

Joanne and Arnold Jong 2022

Three Canadian men of Indian origin have been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of an elderly couple at their home in Abbotsford, British Columbia. According to CBC News, it has been nearly four years since the incident.B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda Brown on Friday found Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh and Khushveer Toor guilty in the deaths of Arnold De Jong and Joanne De Jong, who were found dead in their Abbotsford home on May 9, 2022.The judge agreed with prosecutors that the murder was planned and carried out for money.The courtroom was packed with relatives and friends of the de Jong family.Arnold, 77, and Joanne DeJong, 76, were found dead in separate bedrooms of their home on Arcadia Road in east Abbotsford. Court proceedings revealed disturbing details of the killing.Joanne was found tied to the bed and covered in blood. Pathologists determined she died from stab wounds to the neck and blunt force trauma to the head, believed to have been caused by a screwdriver and a hammer.Arnold was found in another bedroom with his hands and feet bound. His head and face were tightly wrapped with tape. The court heard he died from asphyxiation.The couple knew the three defendants before the killings. Abhijit Singh owned a cleaning company and two other men worked for him. The company had performed work at DeJong’s residence on several occasions before the murder.The trio planned to break into the couple’s home and then kill them. These individuals then used the victims’ stolen credit cards, checks, and identification to make purchases, withdraw money, and pay off debts.DNA evidence also linked the three men to the crime. Investigators found DNA in the house, on the rope that tied Arnold DeJong and on a metal baseball bat recovered from the suspect’s car.Abhijit Singh also did some searches on the internet after the news of his death came to light. The searches were “extraordinarily harsh” and included questions about how Canada punishes murderers.Defense attorneys argued throughout the trial that the killings were not planned and called the incident a robbery that got out of hand. They claim there is no direct evidence that their clients intended to kill the couple.Judge Brown rejected that argument.The judge said he was told the couple would have recognized them because they had previously worked at the house, which was why the couple were not alive.Family members expressed relief after the ruling but said the pain of losing their parents remains unbearable.“[It] “I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest,” daughter Sandra Battle said after hearing the verdict.She added: “I think it’s gratifying because I know the judge saw what was going on and she was able to act on that.”Kimberley Coleman, another daughter, said: “They are people who can never be replaced…There was so much about them that was very special to us and we miss it every day.”The sentencing of Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh and Khushveer Toor is scheduled for May 28. Under Canadian law, a first-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

WEB DESK TEAM

Our team of more than 15 experienced writers brings diverse perspectives, deep research, and on-the-ground insights to deliver accurate, timely, and engaging stories. From breaking news to in-depth analysis, they are committed to credibility, clarity, and responsible journalism across every category we cover.

Recent Posts

Indian-American Tina Shah sparks controversy after calling herself ‘the only pro-Israel Democrat’ in viral video

An Indian-American congressional candidate in New Jersey has sparked a debate after saying in a leaked audio clip that she…

13 minutes ago

PM Modi attends ‘Art of Living’ event in Bengaluru; Dhyan Mandir inaugurated, launches National Service Scheme

Prime Minister Modi and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Art of Living Foundation…

23 minutes ago

Indian man, family’s sole breadwinner, dies of heart attack in Florida: ‘Working tirelessly for a better life in America’

A Telugu-origin IT professional working in the US has died of a heart attack in Florida, leaving behind his wife…

39 minutes ago

Himanta Biswa Sarma officially appointed as Assam Chief Minister; swearing-in ceremony on May 12

Guwahati, May 10 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader Himanta Biswa Sarma met Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhavan…

1 hour ago

Indian-origin man Jaskaran Saroye arrested after shooting in Canada linked to extortion violence

A 27-year-old Punjabi man has been arrested and charged after a shooting in Surrey, Canada, that police say is linked…

1 hour ago

The White House will transform into a UFC cage on June 14th

Washington has always been a place of political intrigue, welcoming world leaders, but on June 14, the White House will…

2 hours ago