A man has now been charged in relation to the fatal stabbing of a 41-year-old man in Abbotsford in December 2025.
On December 14, 2025, at approximately 11:03 a.m., Abbotsford Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence in the 33900-block of McCrimmon Drive.
Officers located a 41-year-old man suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene and transport to the hospital, the man died from his injuries. A man was taken into custody and subsequently released pending further investigation.
IHIT assumed conduct of the investigation and continued to work in partnership with the Abbotsford Police Major Crimes Unit (MCU), Forensic Identification Services (FIS) and the BC Coroners Service to advance the investigation.
IHIT says its investigators diligently followed the evidence trail and, through a meticulous examination of the scene and forensic findings, were able to determine the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
On June 6, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of manslaughter against 36-year-old Jesse Chamberlain-Lohr of Abbotsford in relation to the homicide of Harvey James Lee-Bernick. Chamberlain-Lohr is in custody, and his next court appearance is on June 15, 2026.
Investigators believe this was a targeted and isolated incident involving parties who were known to each other. There is no ongoing risk to the public.
“IHIT investigators worked tirelessly to determine the exact role and involvement of a number of individuals who were identified at the outset,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “The laying of a charge is a significant step, and our thoughts are with Mr. Bernick’s loved ones as the court proceedings begin.”
The family of Lee-Bernick said in a message: “He is deeply missed and was loved by so many people whose lives he touched. His death has had an immense impact on our family, leaving a loss from which we will never fully recover. We remain hopeful that justice will be served.”
