Killer gets life sentence, no parole for 12 years for 2022 homicide in Mission, B.C.

A home in Mission was behind police tape on Dec. 14, 2022, and homicide investigators were called to the scene. (CTV News)

A Chilliwack man has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 12 years for murdering a 64-year-old man in his home in Mission in 2022.

Matthew Bauer received his sentence Thursday, according to a news release from the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

A jury convicted Bauer in February of the second-degree murder of Mission resident Holbert Tew.

The killing happened on Dec. 14, 2022, at Tew’s home on 4th Avenue near Mary Street in Mission.

Around 7 a.m. that day, local Mounties were called to the home for a report of a stabbing. They arrived to find Tew suffering from stab wounds. He died at the scene.

IHIT took over the investigation and identified Bauer as a suspect. The then-27-year-old was arrested on Jan. 6, 2023, and a second-degree murder charge was approved the following day.

Bauer has been in custody ever since.

At the time of the arrest, police said they believed the killing was targeted, though the motive was unknown.

From IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Freda Fong’s comment in Friday’s release, it seems years of investigation and the trial have not answered the motive question.

“This was a senseless and unprovoked attack that resulted in the loss of Mr. Tew, an innocent man,” said Fong, in the statement.

“With the support of the community, IHIT and our policing partners worked expeditiously and diligently to identify the suspect and forward charges. Our thoughts are with Mr. Tew’s family and friends as the court proceedings come to an end.”