Crown prosecutors say three Surrey men killed an Abbotsford couple for money, outlining chilling details as a high-profile murder trial begins.
A Quiet Community Shaken by a Chilling Allegation
What began as a peaceful family gathering ended in a tragedy that stunned Abbotsford. Now, nearly four years later, prosecutors say greed and financial desperation led to the brutal deaths of Arnold and Joanne De Jong.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, a packed B.C. Supreme Court courtroom heard Crown allegations that three Surrey men carefully planned and carried out the murders of the elderly couple for financial gain.
Crown Lays Out Motive: Debt, Pressure, and Greed
According to co-Crown counsel Dorothy Tsui, the accused—Khushveer Toor, Gurkaran Singh, and Abhijeet Singh—acted together with a shared goal: stealing money.
As Tsui told the court, the price of that goal was devastating. Arnold and Joanne De Jong, both in their late 70s, lost their lives in what the Crown describes as a calculated and violent crime.
Importantly, prosecutors allege this was not a random attack. Instead, they say the men knew their victims well enough to exploit their trust.
The Night That Changed Everything
The De Jongs were last seen alive on the evening of May 8, 2022. Earlier that day, they hosted a family celebration. Later, Arnold’s sister stopped by and left around 10 p.m.
However, when repeated phone calls the next morning went unanswered, concern grew. Their son-in-law went to the rural Arcadian Way home and made a horrifying discovery. Police were called immediately.
Soon after, officers confirmed the couple had been murdered.
Disturbing Details Inside the Home
In court, Tsui outlined grim findings from inside the house.
Joanne De Jong, 76, was found in her bed with her hands and feet bound. A large amount of blood surrounded her. A pathologist later concluded she died from sharp-force and blunt-force injuries.
Meanwhile, Arnold De Jong, 77, was discovered in a separate bedroom. His hands and feet were also tied, and his head and face were tightly wrapped in duct tape. His cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation from smothering.
A Connection Built on Trust
Prosecutors say the De Jongs knew the accused through work. Abhijeet Singh owned AS Cleaners, a company hired to clean the couple’s roof and gutters in July 2021 and April 2022.
The other two accused worked for the business, and all three lived together in Surrey.
Notably, Gurkaran Singh had arrived in Canada on a student visa just weeks before the murders. Although he was expected to attend college in northern B.C., the Crown says he never went.
Following the Money and the Evidence
According to the Crown, the men stole credit cards, cheques, and even a pressure washer, which was later sold.
While investigators processed the crime scene, a voicemail on the De Jongs’ landline flagged suspicious credit card activity. From there, police traced early-morning purchases on May 9 to accounts linked to Toor and Abhijeet Singh.
In addition, fingerprints at the home allegedly matched Gurkaran Singh.
Financial records also raised red flags. Prosecutors say Toor deposited a $5,600 cheque days later, supposedly signed by Joanne for “house cleanup.” A second cheque for $5,100 went into Gurkaran’s account under similar circumstances.
Sudden Moves and a Key Discovery
Just two days after the killings, the three men travelled to Brampton, Ontario. When they returned to B.C., they quickly moved into a new basement suite together.
Months later, on December 16, 2022, police arrested all three at that residence.
Crucially, Tsui told the court that investigators found an object believed to be used in the murders inside the trunk of a shared vehicle. DNA evidence is expected to link that item directly to the crime.
What Happens Next in Court
The Crown plans to present cellphone data, banking records, electronic evidence, and extensive forensic findings. At least 24 witnesses are expected to testify.
The case will be heard by a judge alone, not a jury. The trial is scheduled to last approximately eight weeks.
As the proceedings unfold, the community continues to watch closely, seeking answers—and justice—for a couple whose lives ended far too violently.
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