Since taking over homicide investigations from the Surrey RCMP more than two decades ago, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has conducted over 300 Surrey-related cases, highlighting the long-term scale and complexity of violent crime investigations in the city.
IHIT assumed responsibility for Surrey homicides in June 2003. Since then, the unit has taken conduct of 307 mandated cases, which include all homicides—both culpable and non-culpable—as well as suspicious sudden deaths and missing persons cases where foul play was suspected.
According to Sgt. Freda Fong, four of those cases were later transferred back to Surrey or reassigned to other investigative units. As a result, IHIT currently maintains conduct of 303 Surrey-related investigations.
Importantly, the total reflects investigations, not victims. Five Surrey homicide files that predated IHIT’s formation in 2003 were initially acquired but are excluded from this analysis.
Clearance rates and case outcomes
Of the 303 investigations, 297 were ultimately determined to be homicides. Among those, 285 were classified as culpable, while 12 were deemed non-culpable.
To date, 166 of the 285 culpable homicide cases—approximately 58 per cent—have been cleared. When non-culpable homicides are included, 177 of 297 cases, or about 60 per cent, have reached clearance.
IHIT considers a case “cleared” when charges are laid or recommended, when a death is ruled a suicide, or when a file is resolved through other accepted investigative means. In cases involving multiple suspects, a file is typically considered cleared once the first accused is charged.
Recent homicide trends in Surrey
As of January 28, 2026, Surrey has recorded three homicides this year, according to the Surrey Police Service.
Recent annual homicide counts include:
- 2025: 6 homicides (five involving shootings)
- 2024: 9 homicides
- 2023: 12 homicides
- 2022: 21 homicides
- 2021: 10 homicides
- 2020: 12 homicides
- 2019: 21 homicides
- 2018: 15 homicides
The highest number recorded in a single year was 25 homicides in 2013, surpassing the previous peak of 21 cases in 2005.
Police-related shootings are not included in these totals.
Unsolved cases inherited by Surrey Police
When Surrey Police officially became the city’s police of jurisdiction in November 2024, the service inherited 56 unsolved homicide files from the former Surrey RCMP.
These cases span incidents dating back as far as 1967 and do not include files under IHIT’s jurisdiction. Many were previously handled by the Surrey RCMP’s Unsolved Homicide Unit, which was dissolved in 2018.
The figures underscore the depth of Surrey’s homicide history and the continued challenges faced by investigators tasked with bringing long-standing cases to resolution.
