A second man has now been sentenced in relation to the 2021 homicide of Robert Powshuk in New Westminster.

On November 19, 2021, the New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) responded to a report after a man, later identified as 51-year-old Robert Powshuk, entered a business in the 700-block of Columbia Street, suffering from life-threatening injuries.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of frontline officers attending the call, Powshuk died as a result of his injuries. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and worked closely in partnership with the NWPD and the BC Coroner’s service. As a result of an extensive video canvass, investigators learned that Powshuk had been involved in a violent altercation with two males, later identified as Ryan Crossley and Curtis Crossley.

On November 20, 2021, and November 21, 2021, Ryan and Curtis Crossley were arrested, respectively, and charged in relation to the murder.

On August 29, 2023, Curtis Crossley pled guilty to manslaughter.

On September 23, 2023, Ryan Crossley was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury.

On November 17, 2023, Curtis Crossley was sentenced to nine and a half years without parole eligibility.

On April 23, 2024, Ryan Crossley was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole eligibility for 14 years.

“This was an extremely graphic and disturbing incident that occurred in our downtown core,” said Deputy Chief Constable Paul Hyland. “I want to thank the NWPD members who first responded to the scene as well as those members who assisted IHIT in bringing this file to its conclusion with a successful conviction and sentencing of these two subjects.”