3 charged with first-degree murder in BC woman’s overdose death

The BC Prosecution Service has laid first-degree murder charges against three people in connection to the overdose death of a woman on Vancouver Island.

The charges were laid against 59-year-old Kehar Gary Sangha, 41-year-old Tyler Stephen Elrix and 44-year-old Lily Irene Lindbergh, all from Duncan, BC, on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Sangha and Lindbergh, who have both been arrested and are being held in custody, were also charged with an additional count of counselling to commit murder.

According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), there is an outstanding arrest warrant for Elrix and anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact their local police.

The investigation that led to these charges began in August 2023, four months after 52-year-old Wendy Head was found dead by overdose in a Nanaimo residence.

Police first made Head’s death public in October 2023, labelling the fatal overdose as a homicide and appealing for information that could advance the investigation.

“The investigation advanced using various police techniques and resources to identify three individuals and to obtain evidence that led to criminal charges being laid,” explained a CFSEU-BC release.

Sgt. Brenda Winpenny says the CFSEU-BC remains vigilant in efforts to support policing partners across the province to “target those who threaten the safety of our communities due to their involvement in violent criminal activity.”