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Frederick Paul Charlie charged with killing his intimate partner Vanessa Terry, a mother of three, on Seabird Island near Agassiz

Frederick Paul Charlie was in Abbotsford provincial court on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2025) for a minor appearance in the murder case of his former girlfriend, Vanessa Terry, 33, who was found dead inside a residence on the Seabird Island reserve near Agassiz on April 6, 2024.

Vanessa Terry, 33, was found dead in a residence on Seabird Island on April 6, 2024, allegedly murdered by her former partner Frederick Paul Charlie, 36, who has been charged. (Global News)

In July 2024, the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) issued a call for information concerning the death of the mother of three who is originally from Lillooet, encouraging community members with any information to come forward. 

IHIT worked with the Agassiz RCMP, Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the B.C. Coroners Service on this investigation, and on Sept. 5, 2024, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of second-degree murder against Charlie.

Charlie is known to police and has been convicted of various offences, including sexual interference of a person under 16 and obstruction of justice.

About a dozen family members from Lillooet, including her children, attended his hearing at the Abbotsford Provincial Courthouse on Oct. 17, 2024 with T-shirts to honour Terry and teddy bears that contained some of her ashes.

Family members of Vanessa Terry outside the Abbotsford Provincial Court on Oct. 17, 2024 for a court appearance for Frederick Paul Charlie charged with second-degree murder for killing Terry in April 2024. (Global News)

"It sucks that I'm just left with memories," Terry's sister Mia Roberts told Global News outside the Abbotsford Courthouse that day. "It is really difficult to deal with. As a big sister she always looked out for us."

The family said they plan to attend all Charlie's court hearings and they are demanding justice for Terry.

“Incidents of intimate partner violence are tragic and have devastating, long-lasting effects on families and communities,'" said IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Chase Smith in a news release announcing the charges in September 2024. "IHIT would like to extend our condolences to Ms. Terry’s loved ones and community.”

After Charlie's brief appearance, his case was put over for another fix-date hearing on Jan. 30, 2025 in Abbotsford provincial court.

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Paul J. Henderson
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