Murder Charge Downgraded to Manslaughter in 2021 Killing of a Naramata Woman
Justice Alison Beames found Ekene Anigbo guilty of manslaughter after ruling he knew armed break-in could cause bodily harm.
- On Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, Kelowna Supreme Court Justice Alison Beames convicted Ekene Anigbo of manslaughter in the 2021 killing of Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson, acquitting him of first-degree murder.
- The killing occurred on June 9, 2021, as part of a violent gangland conspiracy involving Anigbo and Jalen Falk to locate Richardson's son, Wade Cudmore, following the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer.
- During the 46-day trial, Justice Beames ruled that while both men confined the victim, reasonable doubt remained regarding who fired the fatal shots, necessitating the lesser manslaughter conviction.
- Anigbo, in custody since 2021, awaits sentencing scheduled for Oct. 7; co-conspirator Jalen Falk pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a life sentence on Feb. 24, 2026.
- The manslaughter charge carries a minimum four-year term under the Canadian Criminal Code, though the offence allows for up to a life sentence in prison, reflecting the firearm-involved severity.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter in 2021 killing of a Naramata woman - Creston Valley Advance
In an 105-page decision read in Kelowna Supreme Court on Friday, Aug. 14, Ekene Anigbo had his first-degree murder charge downgraded to being found guilty two counts of manslaughter. Anigbo was accused of killing 57-year-old Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson inside her home in the early morning of June 9, 2021, part of a series of murders and acts of violence in the Okanagan that started with the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer. However, on…
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter in 2021 killing of a Naramata woman - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
In an 105-page decision read in Kelowna Supreme Court on Friday, Aug. 14, Ekene Anigbo had his first-degree murder charge downgraded to being found guilty two counts of manslaughter. Anigbo was accused of killing 57-year-old Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson inside her home in the early morning of June 9, 2021, part of a series of murders and acts of violence in the Okanagan that started with the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer. However, on…
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter in 2021 killing of a Naramata woman - Grand Forks Gazette
In an 105-page decision read in Kelowna Supreme Court on Friday, Aug. 14, Ekene Anigbo had his first-degree murder charge downgraded to being found guilty two counts of manslaughter. Anigbo was accused of killing 57-year-old Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson inside her home in the early morning of June 9, 2021, part of a series of murders and acts of violence in the Okanagan that started with the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer. However, on…
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter in 2021 killing of a Naramata woman - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
In an 105-page decision read in Kelowna Supreme Court on Friday, Aug. 14, Ekene Anigbo had his first-degree murder charge downgraded to being found guilty two counts of manslaughter. Anigbo was accused of killing 57-year-old Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson inside her home in the early morning of June 9, 2021, part of a series of murders and acts of violence in the Okanagan that started with the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer. However, on…
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter in 2021 killing of a Naramata woman - Northern Sentinel
In an 105-page decision read in Kelowna Supreme Court on Friday, Aug. 14, Ekene Anigbo had his first-degree murder charge downgraded to being found guilty two counts of manslaughter. Anigbo was accused of killing 57-year-old Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson inside her home in the early morning of June 9, 2021, part of a series of murders and acts of violence in the Okanagan that started with the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer. However, on…
Penticton Western News
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter in 2021 killing of a Naramata woman
In an 105-page decision read in Kelowna Supreme Court on Friday, Aug. 14, Ekene Anigbo had his first-degree murder charge downgraded to being found guilty two counts of manslaughter. Anigbo was accused of killing 57-year-old Naramata resident Kathleen Richardson inside her home in the early morning of June 9, 2021, part of a series of murders and acts of violence in the Okanagan that started with the deaths of Erick and Carlos Fryer. However, on…
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