On April 27, 2009, members of the Abbotsford Police Department were called to the 34000 Block of Townshipline Road in Abbotsford, BC, for a report of a female who had been struck by a vehicle which had failed to remain at the scene of the accident.
As this investigation progressed it was determined that foul play was suspected and IHIT was called in to lead the murder investigation.
Following a very involved four year investigation IHIT, in partnership with Abbotsford Police Department and RCMP on a National level, secured charges on four individuals.
Arrested and charged with First Degree Murder is 49 year old Abbotsford resident, Iqbal Singh Gill, the husband of Kulwinder Gill.
Also charged with First Degree Murder are 26 year old Abbotsford resident, Gurpreet Singh Atwal and 28 year old Surrey resident, Jaspreet Singh Sohi.
A fourth male, 26 year old Surrey resident, Sukhpal Singh Johal, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Accessory After the Fact.
Iqbal Gill, Jaspreet Sohi and Sukhpal Johal will be appearing in Abbotsford Court on Monday. Gurpreet Atwal will be appearing in Abbotsford Court Monday via video conferencing.
Speech from Superintendent Kevin Hackett below:
Good morning my name is Kevin Hackett, the Officer in Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. I am here today with my colleagues from the RCMP and the Abbotsford Police Department to provide an update regarding the homicide of Kulwinder Kaur Gill.
Kulwinder Gill was a 42 year old resident of Abbotsford; she was a wife and a mother of two children.
On April 27, 2009 Kulwinder Gill was walking with her husband along a rural road in Abbotsford when she was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. The BC Ambulance Service was called, however, due to the injuries she sustained she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The evidence retrieved in the initial stages of this investigation suggested that foul play was a factor and at that point the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in as the lead investigative unit in partnership with the Abbotsford Police Department.
Since 2009, this investigation has been one of IHIT’s top priorities. We have led a determined and focused investigation and as a result have now obtained the evidence required to bring the investigation to where it is today. With that, we are here to announce that arrests have been made and charges against four individuals have been laid.
Arrested and charged with First Degree Murder is 49 year old Iqbal Singh Gill, the husband of Kulwinder Gill.
Also arrested and charged with First Degree Murder are 26 year old Gurpreet Singh Atwal and 28 year old Jaspreet Singh Sohi.
A fourth male, 26 year old Sukhpal Singh Johal, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact.
As this matter is now before the Courts I am unable to speak directly to the motive or discuss any evidence related to the investigation but I can say it appears that this was well planned and deliberate.
To the family of Kulwinder Gill, we are sorry for your loss. We thank you for your patience and trust. I understand that the passing years have been very difficult; this has been compounded by the fact that we were unable to provide details regarding the progress of the investigation until very recently. IHIT recognizes that this is a challenge for all victim families to have to deal with.
I’d like to thank the continued dedication, perseverance and skill from the IHIT investigative team along with our partners from the Abbotsford Police Department, the RCMP’s E Division Major Crime Section, the RCMP’s Support Services Unit and RCMP resources from across Canada.