Police continue to investigate the death of 35-year-old Corey Douglas Farmer of Chilliwack.
Human remains were found on Dec. 27 in the 46100 block of Princess Avenue, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was deployed. Investigators have been canvassing the neighbourhood to speak with witnesses and obtain any related footage from security cameras.
They are also asking any witnesses to come forward with information.
“IHIT now has conduct of the investigation and is working closely in partnership with the UFVRD RCMP, BC Coroners Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section,” according to the IHIT release of Dec. 28.
The investigation was focused on the backyard of a house and into the alleyway for several days following the incident, with items laid out on tarps under open-air tents.
Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of IHIT said they will not be releasing any information about the state of Farmer’s remains, out of respect for his family and due to legal obligations. IHIT’s mandate is to bring justice to victims, their families and the community, he added.
They are still looking for more information to piece together what happened to Farmer.
“If you have information regarding Mr. Farmer or his whereabouts in the time leading up to his death, and have yet to speak with police, now is the time to come forward,” he said.
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police, is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. They can cite IHIT File: 2023-1722 or UFVRD RCMP File: 2023-53690.
According to the provincial court database, Farmer had an extensive criminal history dating back to 2013.
He had several prior convictions for offences that included resisting a peace officer, using a stolen credit card, drug possession, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited and using an identity document without lawful excuse.
Farmer’s record also included several counts of theft and possession of stolen property (over and under $5,000) and numerous breaches of his bail and probation conditions.
At the time of his death, he still had charges before the courts – all in Chilliwack – of:
• possessing stolen property, carrying a prohibited weapon and possessing a break-in instrument on March 28, 2023;
• driving while disqualified and driving while prohibited on Aug. 23, 2023; and
• possessing stolen property and breaching his probation on Oct. 25, 2023.
Pierotti acknowledged that there may be people in the community who need support following this crime.
“We understand that these situations can have a wide spread affect on communities, affecting more than just witnesses,” he told the Progress. “All those affected by this terrible event can contact the UFVRD Victim Services at 604 393-3020 for support.”
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-with files by Jennifer Feinberg, Chilliwack Progress