THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Monday that it had obtained charges in the 2021 death of Kenneth Thomas Howe.

On August 12, 2021, Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of a deceased male near the 6200-block of Darnley Street.  The deceased was identified as 38-year-old Howe of Surrey. The death was determined to be suspicious and IHIT took conduct of the investigation.

On December 7, 2024, 38-year-old John Perry Harasym was arrested for his role in the death of Howe. Homicide investigators obtained sufficient evidence and presented the case to the BC Prosecution Service who laid a second degree murder charge against Harasym.

A second individual, 34-year-old Jesse River Miller, was determined to be involved after Howe’s death. On December 7, 2024, the BC Prosecution Service laid a charge of indignity to human remains against Miller.  Both men remain in custody.

“As this matter is now before the courts, we are unable to provide additional details,” said IHIT Staff-Sgt. David Lee. “We hope that this is a step to obtaining some answers for the friends and family of Kenneth Howe.”

Back in August 2021, IHIT Cpl. Tim Pierotti had said: “Although Mr. Howe was not believed to be involved in the Lower Mainland gang conflict, his death appears to have been targeted. Mr. Howe was known to frequent North Surrey and was always with his dog, Aurora.”