The bodies of two men found in a burned-out home in east Richmond on Friday – victims of a double homicide – have been identified by investigators as brothers who were known to police.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed in a statement Saturday that the victims were 25-year-old Chaten Dhindsa and 23-year-old Joban Dhindsa of Richmond.
“This is believed to be a targeted incident related to the victims’ involvement in the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict,” said IHIT Det. Lara Jansen.
IHIT said it’s confirming the victims’ identities “in order to further the investigation.”
Richmond RCMP were called to the 22000-block of Rathburn Drive – near Chaldecott Drive and Turner Street in Hamilton – at 4:45 a.m. on Friday to help with traffic control for a structure fire.
The bodies of the two Dhindsa brothers were found inside the residence after the fire was extinguished. The victims’ injuries were determined to be “consistent with a homicide,” and IHIT was called in.
A burned black BMW SUV found shortly after the Richmond fire near 16 Avenue and 194 Street in Surrey is also believed to be linked to the homicide investigation.
Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam video, is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
