Burnaby RCMP announce charges in 2021 murder case

Kenneth Howe is shown in photos provided by IHIT following his death.

Mounties say two men have been charged in the 2021 murder of a 38-year-old man in Burnaby, B.C.

The remains of Kenneth Howe were found in the 6200 block of Darnley Street, near the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex, on Aug. 12, 2021.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took conduct of the case, saying in a statement that investigators believed the Surrey resident was the victim of a targeted killing, though police did not believe he had any ties to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict.

In a statement Monday, the Burnaby RCMP said John Perry Harasym, 38, was arrested on Dec. 7 and charged with second-degree murder in Howe's death.

A second suspect, 34-year-old Jesse River Miller, was also "determined to be involved in his death" and was charged with indignity to human remains the same day.

"As this matter is now before the courts, we are unable to provide additional details," said Staff Sgt. David Lee of IHIT said in the release. "We hope that this is a step to obtaining some answers for the friends and family of Kenneth Howe."

Both men remain in custody, according to police.