Members of the RCMP's E Division Underwater Recovery Team scoured the waters off Maffeo Sutton Park on Friday, Sept. 16. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
FATAL STABBING

RCMP dive team searches for evidence in connection to fatal stabbing at Maffeo Sutton Park

Sep 16, 2022 | 1:31 PM

NANAIMO — An investigation and search for evidence related to the fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old Nanaimo man has continued into the water.

Members of the RCMP’s E Division Underwater Recovery Team were on site at Maffeo Sutton Park just south of the Fishing/Walking Pier on Friday, Sept. 16, tethered to the shore and searching the surrounding underwater.

Police on scene were quick to say they were not searching for a body, however a spokesperson for the RCMP confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW the search was connected to the death of Fred Parsons on Monday, Sept. 5.

No further details on the investigation were released.

A small section of Maffeo Sutton Park’s waterfront pathway was taped off from the general public on Friday morning, however people were able to walk around the scene.

Several people were watching the time team and inquiring to police about what was going on.

Mark Jayden Harrison, a 19-year-old Nanaimo man, is charged with second degree murder in Parsons’ death. He remains in custody ahead of a court appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

A second man, Aiden Matthew William Bell, faces two weapons charges in connection to the incident.

Police had a small section of Maffeo Sutton Park blocked off Friday morning, as a diver conducted an underwater search nearby. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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