Man charged with murder in Kelowna woman’s death

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police "E" Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Police in Kelowna, B.C., say a man arrested after a “highly visible and tragic event” in the city Friday has now been charged with second degree murder.

Kelowna RCMP say James Plover remains in custody since he was arrested after a brief pursuit by officers who responded to reports of a “motor vehicle incident” and an assault with a weapon involving two female victims.

Mounties say one of the victims, Bailey Plover, succumbed to her injuries and the second victim is still in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Kelowna RCMP say the murder charge was approved by the BC Prosecution Service today and Plover is due in court on July 10.

Insp. Chris Goebel with Kelowna RCMP says the assault has had a “profound impact” on many people in the community, and first responders acted swiftly and professionally during the high-risk situation.

Online court records show James Plover was charged with uttering threats and assault by choking last year, but the charges were stayed, and he and Bailey Plover and involved in active family law litigation and also face foreclosure proceedings launched by two separate banks.

This report by Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press, was first published July 5, 2025.