Kamloops lawyer charged with murder of TRU instructor

A Kamloops lawyer originally charged with interfering with human remains in connection with the death of a Thompson Rivers University instructor has now been charged with first-degree murder.

Kamloops RCMP said Rogelio (Butch) Bagabuyo, 55, was arrested on Friday, May 12, and charged with the murder of 60-year-old Mohd Abdullah.

On March 17, 2022, the body of Abdullah was found inside a rental van in the 1600-block of Monterey Place in Dufferin. He had been reported missing on March 14, after he failed to attend work. Bagabuyo was arrested the next day and released on March 25 on numerous conditions, including that he surrender his passport. For several days, police had a presence at his Victoria Street law office and at his Columbia Street home following his arrest.

“After a lengthy and in-depth investigation into the death of Mr. Abdullah, a charge of first-degree murder against Rogelio (Butch) Bagabuyo was approved by the B.C. Prosecution Service,” Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley said. “This charge was the result of the tremendous work of everyone involved in this investigation, notably the Kamloops RCMP serious crime unit, the general investigation support team, forensic investigation services unit and frontline officers.”