After Four Years, Final Suspect Arrested in Brandon Applegate Homicide Case

After more than four years of relentless investigation, a significant breakthrough has finally brought a measure of closure to a deeply troubling case in Abbotsford. Police have announced the arrest of the fourth and final suspect in the 2020 homicide of 22-year-old Brandon Applegate.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed on Thursday that 29-year-old Marcel Fraser was taken into custody on June 18th in Vancouver. He now faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Applegate's death. Interestingly, Fraser was already behind bars at the time of his arrest for the murder charge, having been in custody for unrelated matters. This latest development marks a critical turning point for a case that has undoubtedly weighed heavily on the community and, most profoundly, on Applegate’s loved ones.

Let's cast our minds back to March 28, 2020. That's when officers from the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) responded to a distressing call in the 3000 block of Gladwin Road. There, inside a vehicle, they discovered Brandon Applegate deceased. Initially, the circumstances surrounding his death were labeled as suspicious, a common initial classification, but it wasn't long before IHIT took over, confirming it was indeed a homicide.

The journey to this point has been a long and arduous one, marked by methodical police work. Over the years, three other individuals have been apprehended and charged in connection with Applegate’s murder. Sandy Parisian, 49, was the first, charged with first-degree murder in April 2021. Then came John French, 25, who faced the same charge in August 2021. And finally, Dashon Rayden Rashad Clark, 29, was charged in October 2022. Each arrest chipped away at the complexity of the case, bringing investigators closer to the full picture.

Superintendent Mandeep Mjoor of IHIT shared his thoughts on the significant progress, acknowledging the tremendous effort invested by all involved. "The tireless efforts of our investigators, supported by our partners, have been instrumental in reaching this critical point in the investigation," he stated. "We understand the profound impact such incidents have on families and the community, and we hope this arrest brings some measure of solace to Brandon Applegate’s family." The family, we're told, has been kept informed throughout this painstaking process, receiving notifications as each major development unfolded.

While an arrest doesn't instantly erase the pain of loss, it certainly moves the process forward, bringing us closer to justice. This news, undoubtedly, offers a glimmer of hope and a sense of resolution after years of waiting for answers.