EVERTON Downey, 34, was found guilty of second-degree murder in relation to the 2021 homicide of his girlfriend Melissa Blimkie by Supreme Court Justice Heather Holmes on August 21.
“This was a tragic instance of intimate partner violence that has had a devastating impact on Melissa’s family and her community”, says IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Esther Tupper. “IHIT would like to thank our policing partners across the region for their work throughout this investigation. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming weeks.”
On December 19, 2021, at around 11:40 a.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to the Metrotown Mall at 4800 Kingsway for multiple calls of assistance. Frontline officers found a victim with stab wounds who was then transported to hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries.
The victim was identified as 25-year-old Melissa Blimkie from North Vancouver.
Following several weeks of investigation, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) attained sufficient evidence for charges. On January 19, 2022, the BC Prosecution Service laid a charge of second-degree murder against 31-year-old Everton Downey. The two were in a relationship for some time prior to the homicide.
