Charges laid in Squamish homicide

A charge of second-degree murder has been laid in connection with the homicide of Barbara Waite in Squamish.

On April 1 at 11:40 p.m., the Sea to Sky RCMP responded to the residence of 64-year-old Barbara Waite in the 40000-block of Government Road in Squamish after a family member reported finding a body inside the home.  Frontline officers determined that the victim, later confirmed to be Waite, had met with foul play and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in.

A short time after the report came in to the Sea to Sky RCMP, Waite’s 21-year-old son, Ryan Grantham, was taken into custody in Vancouver by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in relation to her death.  He was later charged with second-degree murder by the BC Prosecution Service.   

The investigation is still in its infancy and IHIT investigators are actively completing priority tasks and collecting further evidence with the assistance of the Sea to Sky RCMP, the VPD, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the BC Coroners Service. 

Grantham will make his next appearance in B.C. Provincial Court in Vancouver on April 9.    

“Investigators faced a dynamic and challenging situation at the onset of the investigation, which required clear inter-agency communication and coordination,” said IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang.  “IHIT is grateful for the efforts of the Sea to Sky RCMP and the VPD for laying the groundwork for the investigation.”    

“We are grateful for the assistance of the Vancouver Police Department and the hard work of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team alongside our investigators,” said Sgt. Sascha Banks, Media Relations Officer for the Sea to Sky RCMP.  “It has been a tough few months for the community of Squamish and today is one of those days where we will need to come together to support each other and the family and friends of Barbara Waite.”

Anyone with information, who have yet to come forward to police, is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).