In 2019, Capital Daily embarked on a long-term investigation to uncover new information about one of true crime’s more frequently cited unsolved murders. After three years, 200 interviews, and gaining access to more than 1,500 pages of court documents filed by police to support their requests for orders and warrants for the investigation, it is finally ready to reveal its reporting.
The result answers questions that have eluded 15 years of heavy media coverage, and dispels misinformation that police say could be damaging their case. Read the story the internet got wrong, in Capital Daily’s investigation.
Reporter The Westshore
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BUILDING SAFETY
Principal engineer loses license over faulty design of Danbrook One
(📸 Zoë Ducklow)
A second engineer has had his structural engineering license cancelled by the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC for his involvement in the Danbrook One building in Langford. The 11-storey apartment building lost its occupancy permit in December 2019 after structural deficiencies were brought to light.
Ted Sorenson was the principal engineer and senior structural designer at Sorenson Trilogy, the engineering firm with the contract to design the building, now renamed RidgeView Place.
In a consent order signed in advance of his hearing scheduled for later this spring, Sorenson admitted he acted unprofessionally by allowing Brian McClure to be the lead engineer on the project, “despite knowing that Mr. McClure lacked the training and ability required to competently complete the structural design for the building.”
McClure was stripped of his licence last year. The professional association had a committee of engineers review the situation. They wrote that “McClure did not make even the minimum effort to rectify his shortcomings before beginning or during his work on Danbrook One.”
A similar investigative committee has been organized, and have scheduled a hearing for Sorenson this May.
The current owner of the building, Centurion Property Associates, completed remedial construction work and has refilled the building with new tenants. Centurion sued Sorenson Trilogy Engineering, and named DB Services, which built and sold Danbook One, and the City of Langford in the suit, which has not yet been heard in court.
Read what we learned from documents obtained by a freedom of information request in 2021.
CROSSING GUARDS
View Royal commits once again to funding school crossing guards
View Royal had previously announced that it would stop funding traffic crossing guards after the current school year. But last Tuesday night, council committed to provide up to $41,000 in funding for the 2023-24 school year, with details to be worked out later between the town and the school district.
Mayor Sid Tobias said that council was supportive of the crossing guard program: rather, the issue was where that funding should come from. The previous council, under former mayor David Screech, had considered the same matter and decided in September 2022 that the town shouldn't be footing the bill after June.
Elementary school students and their parents stayed out late to make appeals in person. Petitioner Monique Booth was joined by her son Oscar at the council podium that night.
"We are seeing near-misses, even with the crossing guards, on a frequent basis," said Booth on behalf of the town's elementary parent advisory committee. "We encourage mayor and council to think of crossing guards as an extension of View Royal's road safety and build the cost into your new active transportation network plan."
Council voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Greater Victoria school district to further discuss how View Royal can provide stable, ongoing provision for school crossing guards at View Royal elementary school and Eagle View elementary school.
With the parent-run Greater Victoria Crossing Guard Association dissolving last June, the Greater Victoria school district now runs the crossing guard programs across five municipalities.
Around the 'Shore
🔥 **Firefighting recruitment training:**Sooke, Metchosin, and East Sooke fire departments have banded together to train new recruits [Sooke News]
💞 With just a few taps, your whole family can connect with health-care professionals, schedule appointments, and stay in touch with loved ones. Learn more about Care2Talk’s platform at their next (virtual) town hall.*
😂 Pacific FC will play new team, Vancouver FC at start of Canadian Premier League season. [Goldstream Gazette]
🍽️ Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria runs until Feb. 5. Choose from over 40 local restaurants and experience Victoria’s vibrant culinary scene this winter!*
*Sponsored Listing
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TOGETHER WITH ELIZA AT ROYAL BAY
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The people have spoken, and Eliza is a success. Book your appointment today to learn more!
Community Events
💕 Lovers Lane extended market at Langford Station: the business owners in the huts are planning a market day on Feb. 11 with all sorts of new local vendors. Saturday, Feb. 11, 10am-4pm.
🗣 **Colwood is hosting an ideas fair to get community feedback:**Come to Royal Bay Secondary on Feb. 11 anytime from 2-7pm. Come with ideas and questions about seniors, youth, health, arts and culture, traffic, sewer service and more.
🌹 Valentine’s high tea and symphony: Back for the first time since 2020, the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Sooke Lionesses are hosting an afternoon of treats and lively music. Tickets are $40, available online or Little Vienna Bakery, and Sooke Pharmasave. Feb. 12, 2:30pm in the Sooke Community Hall.
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Westshore Snaps
Misty morning in the forest at Awsworth Road.— Paul Young, Colwood
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