A third person has entered a guilty plea in the 2017 homicide of 24-year-old Alexander Blanarou.

On December 28, 2017, just before 2:30 p.m.,  Blanarou was shot to death in the 5300-block of Bates Road in Abbotsford. Police arrived on scene to find Blanarou’s body in a nearby blueberry field.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation supported by the Abbotsford Police Department. The homicide was a targeted incident that was believed to be drug-related.

In 2020, after an extensive three-year investigation, Islam Nagem, Edrick Raju and Michael Schweiger were charged with the murder of Blanarou.

In October 2022, both Islam Nagem and Edrick Raju entered guilty pleas in relation to the homicide.

On December 5, 2022, Michael Schweiger entered a guilty plea to accessory after the fact to manslaughter.

Sentencing for all three men is scheduled for early 2023.