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Williams Lake RCMP ID body in Fraser River, lay homicide charges

Eric Thompson
KamloopsLights
Murder charges have been laid against a pair of suspects in Williams Lake, following the positive ID of a body in the Fraser River as Branton Regner. (via Brendan Kergin)

The Williams Lake RCMP have laid additional charges against a pair of suspects after identifying a body found in the Fraser River on Aug. 27. 

The body was confirmed to be that of Branton Regner, who was reported missing on Aug. 9 after an incident at the Rudy Johnson Bridge.

Yesterday (Sept. 18), the BC Prosecution Services charged Jayson Gilbert and Michael Drynock with the first-degree murder of Regner.

Gilbert and Drynock were already facing charges for attempted murder and kidnapping, relating to the Aug. 9 incident. 

67731_Branton_Regner Branton Regner was identified as the body found in the Fraser River on Aug. 28. (via BC RCMP)
"The rapid progress of the arrests and multiple charges involving these two accused are a direct result of the collaborative investigative effort between Williams Lake RCMP and the North District Major Crime," says Insp. Jeff Pelley of the Williams Lake Detachment in a news release. "These investigations are ongoing and continue to be a priority within our community."

The investigation into the murder of Regner, as well as the murder of Richard Duncan on Aug. 6, which is thought to be related, is ongoing.

If anyone has information on either investigation, please contact the Williams Lake RCMP at 250-392-6211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.