Police probe homicide of 24-year-old soccer player in Maple Ridge, B.C.

Jan 28, 2020 | 12:45 PM

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. — Police are asking the public to help further their investigation into the homicide of a 24-year-old man from Coquitlam, B.C., who is being described as a talented soccer player.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the body of Edi Bogere-Nyigwo was found on a vacant forested property on Jan. 11 in Maple Ridge.

Police say he was last seen leaving his Coquitlam home at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27.

Investigators say they’re working to determine a motive and want those who knew Bogere-Nyigwo to come forward, adding there’s nothing to suggest his killing was linked to a gang conflict. 

Sgt. Frank Jang says police don’t think his death was random and they believe there are people with important information who have yet to speak with investigators.

Jang also says Bogere-Nyigwo was a talented soccer player and a member of Coquitlam’s Sparta SC under-18 team, which won the Canadian National Championship.

“His friends describe him as someone who avoided trouble and many are wondering why anyone would harm him,” Jang says in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2020.

The Canadian Press