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VIDEO: IHIT investigating Lower Mainland senior’s Christmas Eve death

A 67-year-old was at a social gathering earlier in the day before he was found dead in Langley
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Police are at a home in the 2900 block of 224th Street in Langley on Boxing Day as they investigate a Christmas Eve death. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)

IHIT is in the 2900 block of 224th Street after the discovery of a dead man on Christmas Eve.

The body of 67-year-old Dennis Johnston was found, and the police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information about his activities before his death.

Police and Township firefighters were responded to a call to Murrayville where there was an unresponsive male.

“Despite resuscitation attempts, the man was pronounced deceased and IHIT was subsequently called in,” said IHIT Det. Lara Jansen. “One person at the scene was initially taken into custody but later released. Investigators believe this was an isolated incident, not related to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict.”

IHIT is working closely with the Langley RCMP, Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the BC Coroners Service to gather evidence and complete priority tasks.

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In order to further the investigation and establish a timeline prior to his death, IHIT has released the name of the dead man from Langley.

“We urge anyone who was with Mr. Johnston or has details of his activities prior to his death to speak with investigators,” Jansen said. “We know Mr. Johnston was at a social gathering earlier in the day on Christmas Eve and encourage those who were there or saw him there to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT(4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).



Heather Colpitts

About the Author: Heather Colpitts

Since starting in the news industry in 1992, my passion for sharing stories has taken me around Western Canada.
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