B.C. lawyer accused of placing human remains in plastic bin was victim’s ‘trusted friend,’ family says
The daughter of a college teacher killed in Kamloops, B.C., is shocked to study one in every of her father’s trusted associates is linked to the murder investigation.
Lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, has been accused of inserting the stays of 60-year-old Thompson River College teacher Mohd Abdullah in a plastic bin, and is charged with one depend of interfering with a lifeless physique.
It’s not but identified if he’s believed to be linked to the murder itself.
Abdullah’s daughter, Sarah Jeet Lalata-Buco, lives within the Philippines and says she final spoke together with her father on March 7, per week earlier than he was reported lacking and 10 days earlier than his physique was discovered.
Lalata-Buco described her father, who labored in Thompson Rivers College’s laptop science division, as a soft-spoken man with a robust work ethic.
“My dad is a quiet particular person, however he’s form,” she stated. “He all the time provides me knowledge each time we discuss. Every time he visits me right here within the Philippines, he all the time discuss to me — heart-to-heart talks.”
‘A loving dad’ who was near accused
Her husband, Jhuls Buco, described Abdullah as a “humble” particular person he might all the time flip to for recommendation.
“A loving dad, is how I see him,” he stated.
Buco stated Abdullah and Bagabuyo had been shut associates and he usually heard concerning the lawyer from his father-in-law.
“He is saying this man is a trusted buddy, a very good buddy … each time he wants authorized recommendation, he all the time goes to Butch,” he stated.
Accused launched on bail
RMCP say 60-year-old Abdullah was final heard from on March 11 and reported lacking on March 14 after he didn’t report back to work.
He was discovered lifeless inside a car on the 1600-block of Monterey Place on March 17, and on March 23 police stated he’s believed to be a murder sufferer.
Bagabuyo is accused of inserting Abdullah’s stays in a plastic bin and is charged with one depend of interfering with a lifeless physique.
Bagabuyo was launched on bail on Friday.
Police proceed to seek for public data on the case and have launched photos of Abdullah — described as 5 toes eight inches tall and 126 kilos with black hair and brown eyes — within the hopes of jogging the reminiscence of potential witnesses.
RCMP beforehand launched a picture of a white van linked to the investigation. The van is described as a white 2020 GMC Funds rental van with the B.C. licence plate PJ 9131.
Police say the van might have travelled to Kamloops and surrounding rural communities, resembling Barriere, Clearwater, Savona, Cache Creek, and additional afield to Valemount.
Thompson Rivers College stated in a press release that Abdullah labored on the college for 21 years, taking part in an vital function within the school of science and open studying. The college stated it’s cooperating with police and is organizing counselling for individuals who want it.
Police haven’t stated if any extra expenses are being really useful once more Bagabuyo.
Bagabuyo’s subsequent court docket look is April 21.
