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Investigators still searching for answers as Coquitlam man's murder eclipses one year

Randy Joseph Chan's body was reported missing on July 24, 2020; his body was identified one week later after police found a burned-out vehicle in Burnaby.
Randy Chan - July 2020 homicide Coquitlam RCMP IHIT
Randy Joseph Chan of Coquitlam was reported missing on July 24, 2020. He was eventually found dead in a burnt vehicle in Burnaby.

One year later and still no movement in the homicide case of a 23-year-old Coquitlam man.

Randy Joseph Chan's family as well as the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) are appealing for the public to come forward with any information that may help solve his murder, officially dated on July 24, 2020.

“This young man’s life was taken from those who loved him,” said Sgt. David Lee in a news release today (July 28).

He said the family describes Chan as loving and generous.

“We can never forget that these incidents affect so many lives. It's never too late to do the right thing.”

Investigators believe Chan's murder was a targeted incident.

After a burned-out vehicle was found in Burnaby on July 29, 2020, Chan's body was discovered and later identified on July 31, 2020.

That marked seven days after Coquitlam RCMP issued a missing person's report to the public in asking for help to find Chan as police stated they were concerned for his well-being.

He was last seen July 22, 2020, the same day IHIT was called to a vehicle fire but investigators were unable to conduct a thorough examination at the time.

Instead, it was taken to a tow yard in Burnaby “to allow the hazardous gases associated with a recently burned vehicle time to subside prior to further inspection,” IHIT said in an earlier release. 

At the time of publication a year ago, the Tri-City News was told by Mounties that Chan had a significant history with police and that those who associated with him may be reluctant to divulge any information about his disappearance. 

Today, IHIT said it's followed up on several avenues in his homicide case, but officers are still trying to find those who are responsible. 

Anyone with more information about Chan's murder is urged to call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca