Resources from Clearwater RCMP contributed to police charging two men with second-degree murder in connection to the homicide of Branson Sanders, according to a recent media release dated Mar. 16.
Sander’s severely burned body was located in Burnaby on Dec. 2, 2011. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team conducted the investigation with the support of Burnaby RCMP.
Investigators believe that Branson was dumped at the location where he was found and the homicide occurred at a residence in the 18000 block of 55 Avenue in Surrey.
“Investigators believe there were several witnesses within the residence at the time that Branson was killed. We are asking for those people to come forward and speak with IHIT investigators,” said police spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Pound.
Pound credited the success of the investigation to the collective efforts of police officers from many jurisdictions, including Clearwater, Burnaby, Surrey and Kamloops RCMP as well as K Division (Alberta RCMP) and its support services as well as Alberta Fugitive Apprehension Team.
Charged with second-degree murder is 19-year-old Burnaby resident Shakib Shakib and 19-year-old Surrey resident Brandon Nandon.
One of the suspects was arrested during a roadblock in Clearwater, according to Clearwater RCMP’s Sgt. Kevin Podbisky.