Answering machine message was crucial lead in B.C. murder investigation, officer testifies

An officer testified at the trial of three men accused of the vicious murder of an elderly couple, saying a message on the answering machine was a vital lead.

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At the trial for three men accused in the horrific murders of two Abbotsford seniors, a police officer testified Tuesday about what turned into an early crucial clue for investigators.

Abbotsford Police Department Const. Derek Mealings was at the home of Arnold and Joanne De Jong the day after the couple was killed to document the crime scene with photographs.

The De Jongs, who were grandparents, were found in separate bedrooms with their hands and feet tied with rope. Arnold De Jong’s entire head and face was tightly wrapped in duct tape, the court heard.

It was during this time that the forensics officer overheard a message being left for the couple.

He told court the caller, “said they would like to speak to someone regarding suspicious credit card purchases.”

Crown prosecutor Dorothy Tsui had told court Monday during her opening statement that police followed up on that lead and “obtained banking records and phone records in an attempt to identify potential suspects.”

Tsui alleged police later found the suspicious purchases were associated with Rogers Communications accounts in the name of Abhijeet Singh and Khushveer Toor.

Singh and Toor, as well as Gurkaran Singh, are all charged with two counts of first-degree murder. They have pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution alleges the motive for the crime was greed.