Dispute that left 3 dead in Maple Ridge, B.C., had been going on for years, neighbour says

A fight that left three people dead in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, has been going on for years, according to neighbors.

Residents say an elderly couple and their neighbor had been at odds for years over issues including the couple's dog, parking on the street and lighting a fire in their backyard.

Incident details:

Police were at the scene Friday where three people died Wednesday night.

Police found two people dead — a man and a woman in their 60s — and their dog at a home on 239th Street, according to the Joint Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

A third body was found at a nearby home.

Neighbors have identified the victims as Bruce Richards and Roxanne Davidson. Their son declined to comment when contacted by CBC, requesting the family's privacy.

History of Threats:

Bruce Freweder, a neighbor, said the fight had been going on for years and that he had spoken to Roxanne just hours before the incident and witnessed the suspect threatening her.

“Roxanne said something to the man across the street and he said he was going to break her neck.”

Old feud reignited:

According to neighbor Cheryl Cloutier, the family dog was often on a leash in the yard and would wander into the neighbor’s property, something the suspect was not comfortable with.

The disputes included parking, setting fires in the yard and letting the dog onto the neighbor’s property.

The night of the incident:

Police were initially called to a report of a fight and spoke to several people but made no arrests.

Hours later, around 11 p.m., the Maple Ridge Fire Department reported a car on fire and a break-in.

Neighbors bravely rushed to the house when they saw the fire. “The front door was broken,” indicating something serious had happened.

Police arrival and investigation:

When police arrived, they found two bodies inside the house, two cars, and a garage on fire.
At the house next door, a suspect believed to be armed was found inside after a cordon was put out; he was also dead.

The third person may have died of self-inflicted injuries, according to the British Columbia Police Independent Investigations Office (IIO).

Community reaction:

The incident came as a huge shock to residents in the neighborhood.

Bruce Froeder said:

“They were a great couple, friendly, well-spoken neighbors. You can’t believe they’re gone.”

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