Mission – A six-year old missing person case has resulted in murder charges against two BC men following an investigation by the Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit.
The men, who were youths at the time of the offence and cannot be named, have been charged with first degree murder in the death of Joshua Bowe, a 21-year-old initially reported missing in 2010. Investigators believe that Bowe and the individuals charged, knew each other at the time of Bowe’s death.
In November 2010, the Mission RCMP were contacted by Bowe’s former foster parent to report that he was missing. Evidence gathered during the initial stages of the investigation indicated foul play which changed the nature of police efforts. The investigation was originally investigated by Mission RCMP, then the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, and later, the Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit who continued efforts to solve Bowe’s murder. The Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit is an integrated unit comprised of investigators from the RCMP, and the Vancouver, Abbotsford, Delta, and New Westminster Police Departments, charged with investigating historical homicides throughout the Province.
Even though the nature of investigation may have changed since initial reports, the police remained committed to finding whoever was responsible for Joshua’s disappearance,
says Insp. Donna Richardson. Despite taking almost six years to gather enough evidence for formal charges, we were determined to hold whoever was responsible accountable. Joshua and his loved ones deserved that.
The last time I saw Joshua was on his 21st birthday. When we discovered he was missing, what surprised me so much was how many people knew him and cared. I want to thank all of those people, as well as the RCMP and other police forces that helped me to find Joshua. After 6 years I know he can’t come home anymore and I miss him. He meant everything to me. I wish I could hate the two boys who did this, but their futures’ look so scary and there are two other families who are also coming to terms with this. I can only imagine how they feel,
says Hope Bowe, Joshua’s grandmother.
The Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit wishes to thank their many partner RCMP agencies including Mission Detachment and E
Division Major Crime Section, as well as the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team, whose support has contributed to this outcome.
The Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit continues to actively investigate all outstanding leads relating to this matter. If anyone has any additional information please contact their local police.
