CANADA • Taylor VAN DIEST, 18 / Accused: Matthew Foerster, Stephen Foerster ~ Armstrong BC

Armstrong community in shock after teen girl dies Halloween night
November 1, 2011


An 18-year-old female who died after being found unconscious Monday night by the railway tracks in Armstrong has been identified by her sister as 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest.


The small, tight-knit town of Armstrong is reeling after the body of 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest was discovered in a horrific Halloween murder.

The Pleasant Valley Secondary grad’s beaten body was found unconscious near railway tracks Halloween night, and 30 investigators are trying to discover who took the quiet teen’s life.

“She was really sweet,” first cousin Erica Mihalcheon told The Province. “She always smiled — she was a good friend to everybody.

“I have seen no reason that anyone would attack her.

“There were rumours of a stalker, but I don’t believe they are true.”

Adding to the shock of Taylor’s murder is the fact the gruesome death happened on Halloween, one of Taylor’s favourite days of the year.


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RCMP have confirmed the death of an Armstrong girl was a homicide.

18 year old Taylor Van Diest was found by family and police unconscious, with severe but unspecified injuries in a bush area off Rosedale Avenue on Halloween night.

She died of her injuries later in Kelowna hospital.

North Okanagan RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk told a news conference in Armstrong, police have no suspects at this time.

"What is known is that Taylor was out last evening for Halloween. It's not clear who she was to meet with. RCMP, friends and family were able to locate her a few feet away from these (railway) tracks around 8:45PM."

Police are asking for information on the victim or any suspicious activity they may have seen.

Molendyk says 30 officers are working on the case.

The cause of death will be determined from an autopsy.

There are suggestions on Facebook someone may have been following the victim or stalking her.

Molendyk was not aware of that at today's news conference in Armstrong but says police will be checking into social networking sites.

"We are following up on all aspects of information prior to when she was found. That's why we are asking the public, anyone who may have seen her, to please contact us."

Van Diest had graduated from Pleasant Valley Secondary School last June.

Armstrong mayor Chris Pieper says residents in the small city are finding it hard to believe.

"There is a lot of shock. I was in the downtown today and I saw two young people hugging, and one of them was crying, so it's really impacted our small town."

Pieper is asking residents to help out the police by reporting anything about the victim, or suspicious activity they may have seen.


http://www.1075kiss.com/local-first/kiss-news

An 18-year old girl from Armstrong died in the early evening hours of October 31. Taylor Van Diest left her home to attend a Hallowe’en party at a friend’s house, but she never made it to the get together and now police are investigating her death.

Gordon Molendyk of the Vernon/North Okanagan Detachment of the RCMP says police were called about the missing girl at about 7:30 p.m. Police began the search for the Pleasant Valley Secondary School student who was dressed up as a zombie for Hallowe’en. At about 8:45 p.m., police and her family found her, still alive but severely injured in a bush beside train tracks in the Okanagan town. She was rushed to hospital in Vernon and then transferred to Kelowna Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Police do not know who she was meeting with and the investigating officers are asking for the public’s assistance to provide any information about any activity that may have taken place in Armstrong.

Also, police ask that anyone who may have seen Taylor anytime during the day on Hallowe’en to call either the Armstrong detachment at 250 546 3028 or your local police detachment.


http://beaconnews.ca/blog/2011/11/armstrong-rcmp-looking-for-answers-in-death-of-18-year-old-girl/

Slain B.C. teen texted she was ‘being creeped’ shortly before attack
November 02, 2011



Shortly before she was brutally attacked, slain teen Taylor Van Diest sent a text to her boyfriend saying she was “being creeped,” according to her best friend, Zoë Unruh.

Ms. Unruh said the text suggested that the 18-year-old woman from Armstrong, who was left unconscious with severe injuries near a set of railway tracks Monday evening, may have been followed.

“That was the last thing we got from her,” said Ms. Unruh, who noted that the text was misspelled. She said it was uncharacteristic for Ms. Van Diest, an “immaculate speller.”

Ms. Unruh said she and Ms. Van Diest’s boyfriend tried replying to the text message, but received nothing in reply. The misspelling and the absence of any response led them to start a search party.

Around 8:45 p.m., family and friends found Ms. Van Diest unconscious in a bush near a railway crossing in the 3100 block of Rosedale Avenue, less than one kilometre from her home.

Ms. Unruh said she laid her coat over her friend after she was found. Ms. Unruh later drove with friends to Vernon Hospital, where Ms. Van Diest was sent before being rushed to Kelowna Hospital. It was there that Ms. Van Diest died.

North Okanagan Mounties are searching for a suspect as well as the identity of anyone Ms. Van Diest may have met or contacted earlier that day.

Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP spokesman Gordon Molendyk said the last known whereabouts of Ms. Van Diest was her home, where she may have been getting dressed up for Halloween around midday.

“We are appealing to everyone in the close-knit Community of Armstrong who may have had contact with Taylor during the day of October 31st from noon until 8:45 PM that evening to call the Armstrong or Vernon RCMP Detachment,” wrote Mr. Molendyk in a press release.

“At this point we don’t have any idea on a suspect,” he said by telephone, adding it is “very much an ongoing investigation.”

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No suspects yet in Okanagan teen’s Halloween-night homicide, police say
November 02, 2011



The person who killed Taylor Van Diest on Halloween night is still at large and police have no suspects.

Vernon RCMP are appealing to anyone who may have seen the 18-year-old recent high school graduate between noon and 8:30 p.m. on Monday to contact them.

They said it was clear Van Diest was going out for Halloween but they don’t know whom she planned to meet.

“At the present time, we don’t have a suspect,” said Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP spokesman Gordon Molendyk.

The teen was found “severely injured” with what family members said are head injuries in the bushes near the railway tracks in the 3100-block Rosedale Avenue around 8:45 Monday evening.

She died later that night after being transferred first to hospital in Vernon and then one in Kelowna, police said.

Her family had reported her missing in the hour or so before that, after they received a call from someone who said they had found her cellphone near the tracks, Taylor’s aunt, Anne Mihalcheon, had told The Province.

A forensic identification team and more than two dozen officers, using police dogs and a helicopter, are searching the bushes near where Taylor was found — about three metres from railway tracks that run through town and are used as a shortcut, said Molendyk.

Police were also asking the people of Armstrong to report any activity — “any little thing” — near the railway tracks where she was found unconscious in the bushes, said Molendyk.

Investigators are also knocking on doors of homes that line the tracks.

On Wednesday morning police visited Denise Magee, who lives on Rosedale Avenue about 10 metres from where Taylor was found. She told The Province she heard no one screaming or crying out for help that evening, but noted there was a lot of noise with a steady stream of more than 50 children coming to her door trick-or-treating, as well as firecrackers exploding.

She said the murder has made her more vigilant to lock her doors at night.

Anyone with information can call Armstrong RCMP detachment at 250-546-3028, Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171, or Crime Stoppers.

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Taylor’s fraternal twin sister, Kirstie, said, “We don’t know anything more than what the media does” about the case. She has been asked by her family not to talk to the media.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Police+appeal+more+witnesses+Okanagan+teen+Halloween+night+homicide/5646612/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

Police display Armstrong teen's outfit the night she was killed
RCMP say more than 40 officers are investigating the homicide
November 03, 2011


Vernon RCMP today displayed the outfit Taylor Van Diest, 18, was wearing on the night she was attacked and killed.

Vernon RCMP today displayed the outfit an Armstrong teen was wearing on the night she was attacked and killed.

Taylor Van Diest, 18, was found severely injured Monday near a set of railway tracks in Armstrong; she later passed away in hospital.

Photographs from police show the teen was dressed up as a zombie that night.

The picture shows her make-up and costume that evening; she was scheduled to attend a Halloween party.

A second photograph shows the tan jacket Van Diest was wearing.

Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk says police hope the pictures will jog someone's memory who may have seen her on the night she was attacked.

A police timeline shows Van Diest left her home near the intersection of Colony Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road in Armstrong about 5:50 p.m. Monday.

Police believe Van Diest walked north on Pleasant Valley Road for 10 minutes to the railroad tracks where she was attacked by an individual or individuals.

Molendyk says Van Diest could have been followed to the railway tracks, could have been meeting someone at the railway tracks or the suspect or suspects may have already been waiting there.

Her family says their last known correspondence with Van Diest was around 7:30 p.m.

"We are not 100 per cent sure if she was followed," Molendyk said.

He confirms police have the teen's phone and are currently looking through the messages to pinpoint a timeline.

Molendyk adds seven additional officers will be joining the investigation, bringing the total now to more than 40 officers working on the case.

"We want to solve this crime. We are pulling all available resources that we can put into this case," Molendyk said.

There is still no suspect in the homicide.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Police+display+Armstrong+teen+outfit+night+killed/5653980/story.html

DEVELOPING: Cause of death will not be released in Armstrong teen homicide
November 04, 2011

Police are not releasing the results of the autopsy of an Armstrong teen who was fatally attacked Halloween night.

Taylor Van Diest, 18, was on her way to a party Monday night when she was attacked near a set of railway tracks in Armstrong; she later passed away in hospital.

Friday is day four of the homicide investigation and Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk says police still do not have a suspect.

An autopsy was conducted in Kamloops on Thursday; Molendyk says the results are being considered holdback evidence and are being withheld to keep the integrity of the investigation.

Molendyk says more than 40 officers are following up on tips from the public.

Police say Van Diest left her Armstrong home at 5:50 p.m. and walked north on Pleasant Valley Road for 10 minutes.

Her last contact with her family or friends was at 6 p.m. via a text message.

The next contact Van Diest’s family had with her was at 7:30 p.m. when an individual from the community found her phone on the railway tracks.

A search for the teen began shortly afterward; Van Diest was found severely injured at 8:45 p.m. by a search crew consisting of her family, friends and RCMP officers.

Police are appealing to the public to find out the teen’s movements between 5:50 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

“RCMP are doing everything possible to bring the case to a conclusion and bring the person or persons responsible to justice,” Molendyk said.

Investigators will be working through the weekend.

http://www.globaltvbc.com/developing+cause+of+death+will+not+be+released+in+armstrong+teen+homicide/6442515279/story.html

RCMP ramp up their investigation into the homicide of Armstrong resident Taylor Van Diest by releasing more photos, bringing in more investigators and setting up roadblocks.

Boyfriend made gruesome discovery of dying B.C. teen


Taylor Van Diest, 18, died from serious injuries
after she was found lying near a railroad track in Armstrong, B.C.

The boyfriend of a B.C. teen murdered this week was the last to hear from her and the first to find her lying fatally injured, the girl's friends and family say.

Eighteen-year-old Taylor Van Diest died in hospital Monday night after she was found unconscious and seriously hurt near the railroad tracks that run through Armstrong.

She was reported missing after she failed to show up for a rendezvous, and her family says that boyfriend Colton Luttmerding discovered her less than an hour later as she lay dying.

The slain teen's uncle Paul Albert says Luttmerding is not doing well.

"He's being supported well by his family and friends and that's all I can say," Albert told CTV News.

Friends say that Luttmerding received the last text message sent from Van Diest's phone.

"I think someone was following her, because the last text she sent her boyfriend was, ‘I'm being creeped,'" Chantal Cloutier said.

Luttmerding's mother says he is not ready to speak with the media.

Mounties investigating the killing have yet to identify a suspect, but issued more information Thursday about Van Diest's movements shortly before her death in an attempt to solicit more tips.



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B.C. community to mourn slain teen at Sunday memorial
November 05, 2011

A community in shock over the Halloween-night murder of Armstrong, B.C., teen Taylor Van Diest will hold a memorial in her honour Sunday, as well as remember victims of other recent Okanagan tragedies.

The event, to be held in Armstrong's Memorial Park, will give the community a chance to reflect and mourn the deaths of two Lytton, B.C., children who perished in an October motorhome fire, and an 18-year-old man who died in a workplace accident in September.

Police now know how Van Diest was killed, but are not releasing the coroner's autopsy results for fear it might jeopardize the homicide investigation.

The 18-year-old died after being found unconscious near the railway tracks in her hometown of Armstrong on Halloween night. Police have said she was "severely injured" and her family said she had head injuries.

Kelowna coroner Mark Coleman said an autopsy had been performed and the results forwarded to police, but he couldn't reveal any details because it was a police matter.

Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP spokesman Gordon Molendyk said in a statement police couldn't release the results because "right now the only people who know the full details of this death are the pathologist (coroner), a few investigators and the person or persons responsible for this crime. The results of the autopsy are considered ‘holdback' evidence in the interests of preserving the integrity of this investigation."

He said investigators have received more than 100 tips and are following each of them up.

Police have interviewed or will interview anyone close to Van Diest, including her boyfriend, friends and family members, he said.

Another seven officers from the Lower Mainland's major-crime unit have joined the investigation and now there are more than 40 officers on the case. They are setting up roadblocks to question locals about what they may have seen that night and are knocking on doors.

Investigators clarified the timeline in the release, saying Van Diest, dressed up as a "zombie," with a white face, black eyes and fake blood on her head and chest, left her home at 5:50 p.m. and walked to the railway tracks.

She sent her last message - in which she said she was being "creeped" - at 6 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m., her cellphone was found near the tracks and the family reported her missing to the RCMP. She was found unconscious at 8:45 p.m. and died later in a Kelowna hospital.

Police want to determine what she was doing between 5:50 and 8:45 that night, and ask anyone who may have seen her or anything strange around that area to call them.

"The RCMP is doing everything possible to bring this case to a successful conclusion and bring the person or persons responsible to justice, so the family and the community of Armstrong can begin the healing process," said Molendyk in a release.

He said townspeople are worried and that fear extends to nearby communities of Vernon and Enderby.

Police are reminding people to exercise caution by being aware of their surroundings, including removing earbuds when they walk down the street.

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=5664262

Police not any closer to finding teenager's killer
November 07, 2011



At a Monday afternoon press conference RCMP say that they now expect the Van Diest murder investigation to be a lengthy one.

Police are following up on over 125 different leads, but still have no suspect.

They are continuing to canvas the area neighbourhoods to try and gather new information.

RCMP behavioral specialists are in town and are reviewing the file in hopes of coming up with a suspect profile.

This evening there will be a private memorial service at the Hassen arena in Armstrong, the family has asked for privacy.

18-year-old Taylor Van Diest was attacked a week ago, while walking on railway tracks near Rosedale Avenue in Armstrong.

She died later in Kelowna General Hospital.

http://www.globaltvbc.com/police+not+any+closer+to+finding+teenagers+killer/6442516758/story.html

RCMP receive letter linked to Armstrong teen's murder
November 10, 2011

]

Armstrong RCMP on Wednesday received a letter from a person claiming to be responsible for the death of 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest.

The letter writer suggested further violence against woman, said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk of the RCMP's E Division in a statement.

"At this point in time we will not speculate whether the letter is authentic, though we are working to determine who many have sent it," Moskaluk said. "Our primary concern remains the safety of the public. We would hope that the person or persons responsible share our concern."

The RCMP disclosed the details of the letter as a precautionary step, Moskaluk said. The public, particularly in the central and North Okanagan, are reminded to remain vigilant.

"We recommend traveling in a group, or asking parents or friends for a ride," Moskaluk said. "Travel areas of the community that have good visibility. Let family or friends know where you are going and when you expect to arrive. If you have a cell phone carry it. Report any suspicious activity right away."

Van Diest was attacked Oct. 31 while walking on railway tracks in the 3100-block of Rosedale Avenue in Armstrong. She died later in Kelowna General Hospital.

Anyone with information about the incident, or the letter or its author, is asked to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

http://www.vancouversun.com/RCMP+receive+letter+linked+Armstrong+teen+murder/5684940/story.html

Letter claims responsibility for Armstrong teen’s murder, threatens more violence
November 10, 2011 3:10 PM



A day after receiving a disturbing letter from someone claiming to be Taylor Van Diest’s killer and threatening more violence against women, RCMP haven’t been able to determine if it is a hoax or dead serious.

Police held a news conference in the city of Vernon’s council chambers Thursday afternoon to admit the letter does not contain enough detail about the 18-year-old Armstrong teen’s Halloween night murder to determine if it is real.

“As a result we are unable to confirm that the letter was, in fact, written by the perpetrator,” RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in a release following the conference.

“The investigators would like the writer to contact them by telephone or letter as they would like to create a dialogue to prevent any further violence.”

Police have set up a dedicated tip line for the Van Diest case at 1-888-688-4264 and are urging the writer and others with information to call.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Armstrong says his town is uneasy and operating under a heightened level of caution following the chilling news.

“It doesn’t sit very good, to tell you the truth,” said Mayor Chris Pieper. “This leaves a pretty major clue, but it leaves more questions, too.”

“I think caution is what we need more than fear,” he said, noting the tension in the community.

“We have to be careful until this is solved. This has turned the whole community upside down. It’s something we don’t see happen in our little town, ever.”

RCMP issued a warning to the public Thursday morning after revealing a letter was sent to the RCMP the day before.

The author claimed responsibility for the grisly Halloween-night murder and suggested there may be more.

The Armstrong detachment received the letter on Nov. 9, just over a week after the high-school graduate was attacked on Oct. 31 while walking, dressed as a zombie, near railroad tracks on Rosedale Avenue to meet up with a friend for Halloween activities.

She was reported missing by her parents about an hour before she was found, when someone spotted her cellphone by the roadway. At about 8:45 p.m., she was discovered lying in some bushes unconscious, suffering from severe head injuries. She died later that night in hospital.

Her attacker is still at large.

Cpl. Moskaluk would not release any more information about the letter: how it was sent, if it was typed or handwritten, and whether any fingerprints or other evidence had been gleaned from it.

Police are advising residents to travel in groups and youth especially to carry a cellphone, ask friends or family for a ride, travel in areas with good visibility, always let someone know where they are, and report any suspicious activity.

“We are asking that the general public remain vigilant and continue to take extra personal safety precautions in our communities, particularly in the Central and North Okanagan,” Moskaluk said.

He added that such a warning was bound to worry the community, but police deemed it necessary.

“Certainly it has heightened the tension that Armstrong, the community, has experienced so far and continues to experience,” Moskaluk said.

Police still have not publicized a suspect in the case, but have received about 125 tips to date.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Letter+claims+responsibility+Armstrong+teen+murder+threatens+more+violence/5690584/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

Author of letter could be teen's killer: experts


Taylor Van Diest, 18, died from serious injuries after she was found
lying near a railroad track in Armstrong, B.C. on Oct. 31, 2011.

snipped . . . . .

Although police aren't speculating on whether the letter is legitimate, experts with experience in similar investigations say there's reason to believe the author could be Van Diest's murderer.

Forensic psychologist Stephen Hart says there are many motivations that could lead a killer to write to police.

"If this is, in fact, a communication from the perpetrator, it is an indication that person wants to communicate or open a dialogue," he told CTV News.

"There may be somebody in Armstrong or somebody nearby who knows that a friend or family member ... is focusing too much on this particular crime, that they become obsessed or preoccupied with it."

That's exactly what happened in the case of Terry Driver, who murdered Tanya Smith in 1995. He called police to tell them he was the Abbotsford killer and even penned a letter admitting to the crime.

His lawyer says that Driver became fixated on his crimes and the media coverage of the slaying.

"He became obsessive about it, and in the Driver case, the police caught on to that," Glen Orris said.

Psychologist Mike Webster worked on the case, and developed a media strategy to tempt the killer to call police. It worked, and Driver's mother was able to recognize her son's voice from a tape made of the call.

Webster says a similar strategy could work in the Van Diest case.

"Is he making predictions? Is he challenging police? Is he boasting about something? Is he attempting to dupe them in some way? Those are the indicators that would suggest to you that this fellow is looking for a game of wits," he said.

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Tips line set up for Van Diest murder investigation

A special tips line is being set up as RCMP continue to investigate the murder of an Armstrong teen.

Members of the Southeast District Major Crimes Unit is also urging the author of a letter, claiming to be the killer of 18 year old Taylor Van Diest, to contact them, either by phone or in writing.

RCMP received the letter yesterday, which they say indicated further violence towards women.

Residents are being urged to remain vigilant, particularly in the Central and North Okanagan.

Van Diest was killed Halloween night.

She died in hospital after her body was found next to railway tracks.

The special tips line number is 1-888-688-4264


http://www.am1150.ca/News/Local/Vernon/Story.aspx?ID=1569786

Calm urged in slain teen's town after 'killer's' letter

Community leaders in Armstrong, B.C., are encouraging people to keep their normal routines after the town was rocked by news that a person claiming to have killed a young woman wrote a letter to police threatening more violence.

The letter writer claimed to have slain 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest on Halloween night as she was walking to meet friends.

The purported killer also is threatening more attacks against women.

"We're encouraging people to be vigilant by not letting this person dictate the lives of people in this area,” said high school principal Rob Macaulay. “There are a lot of great things in this community that we want to continue and we don't want this person to dictate what we do."

Macaulay and acting mayor Ronald Sullivan attended an RCMP briefing about the letter for community leaders.

“Hopefully, we will get back to a normal life or try,” Sullivan said. “It's hard to get back to normal right now. You know, hopefully we can catch this individual soon and get our community back to normal."

RCMP are still hoping to confirm whether the letter actually came from the person responsible for the slaying or is a hoax.

Police are asking the letter writer to contact them again in an attempt to start a dialogue, both to establish how much the writer really knows and to prevent more attacks in the southern Interior town.

Such letters not unusual

Simon Fraser University criminologist Rob Gordon said he’s not surprised someone has written such a letter.

“They're not unusual, particularly with a high-profile case like this one,” Gordon told CBC News.

Gordon said threatening letters are often fake and written by an unstable person who wants some fame themselves and enjoys spreading fear.

He said police are doing the right thing by going public, even if the letter is fake, because it serves as a reminder.

“Bottom line is, they've got somebody in that community or vicinity who's responsible for a killing and they haven't yet identified who that person may be.”


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/11/10/bc-killer-letter-community-leaders.html

Community leaders send out message
November 11, 2011

The mayors and council from Armstrong and Spallumcheen have sent out a letter to its residents in the wake of the ongoing investigation into the murder of 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest:

Nov. 10, 2011

A Message to our Residents from the City of Armstrong and the Township of Spallumcheen.

The tragic death of Taylor Van Diest and the recent developments have had an effect on our community in many ways. The City of Armstrong and Township of Spallumcheen and our neighbouring communities have all felt these effects.

While the RCMP conduct their investigation into this crime, as your elected officials and community leaders our top priority at this time is community wellness. In the coming days we would like to talk about ways that we can move forward while ensuring the well being of our residents.

Neighbours looking out for one another is a good place to start. As stated by the RCMP we need to repeat and convey the message of the need for community vigilance and urge you to add personal safety precautions to your day to day plans. Travel in a group; ask parents or friends for a ride. Travel areas of the community that have good visibility. Let family or friends know where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Once you have arrived call some one to let them know. If you have a cell phone carry it.

While you are out and about who knows better as to what is normal or is out of place in the community. If anything seems suspicious, report it. Don’t discount something yourself– allow the police to determine its relevance to the investigation. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the RCMP’s recently activated tip line at

1-888-688-4264.

Another part of wellness is participating in community events that we see as an integral part of our community. Starting with Remembrance Day we hope our community will come out and show gratitude to those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy. We will continue to celebrate our Community at Downtown Light Up on Nov. 24 and encourage everyone to participate.

Having said that, we must remember personal safety is something we may not be as familiar with in a small community. Keeping personal safety foremost in our minds is possible to do and still maintain your lifestyle. We encourage everyone to continue with plans but ensure you have also included personal safety pre-cautions in those plans as mentioned earlier by the RCMP.

We will be examining our community resources that are available and provide information to the community for those individuals that may need additional support. A community resource that is currently involved is RCMP Victim Assistance available via Armstrong RCMP Detachment 250-546-3028.

City of Armstrong (Mayor Chris Pieper) Township of Spallumcheen (Mayor Will Hansma)

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/133691753.html

Father and son charged in brutal slaying of 18-year-old B.C. teen
Taylor van Diest was found badly beaten and died in hospital
April 06, 2012


Taylor Van Diest, 18, is the woman found unconscious Halloween night in 2011 by the railway tracks in Armstrong. She later died.

A father and son have been charged in the tragic Halloween night death of Taylor Van Diest, bringing some relief to her home town of Armstrong.

"Today is a day filled with mixed emotions. We finally can direct our anger at a face. Now I know what evil looks like," an emotional but stoic Marie Van Diest said after police announced the two arrests in her 18-year-old daughter's death.

Matthew Stephen Foerster, 26, who last fall was living outside Lumby, about 26 kms southeast of Armstrong, is charged with second-degree murder.


Matthew Foerster, 26, of Cherryville has been arrested in the Halloween night
slaying of 18-year-old Taylor van Diest, a horrible crime that rocked her home town of Armstrong.

Click here to see more photos of Taylor van Diest, her family and police, as well as her accused killer

Foerster was arrested Wednesday morning at a hotel in Collingwood, Ont., a picturesque community known for skiing and beach holidays 150 km northwest of Toronto.

Police said they did not know the young man's whereabouts for about two months, but now plan to fly him back to B.C.

Foerster's father, Stephen, 58, was arrested at his Cherryville home, about 30 kms east of Lumby, on Wednesday afternoon and charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact in connection with Van Diest's death.

At a packed news conference in Armstrong Thursday, police would not say what Stephen Foerster allegedly did to obstruct their investigation, or what role he allegedly played after the homicide.

Stephen Foerster is listed as a painter married to Debra, a homemaker, on land title documents for their rural home. RCMP said the father was known to police, but did not elaborate.

Police received arrest warrants for both men Tuesday.

Matthew Foerster has no criminal record, but this week police also charged him in connection with two other violent assaults against women, which occurred several years ago. Foerster would have been 18 or 19 at the time of the two incidents.

RCMP Supt. Brendan Fitzpatrick said there is no evidence that Van Diest knew Foerster.

The victim's mother, twin sister Kirstie, and uncle Paul Alberts attended Thursday's media briefing in the Armstrong town hall.

Alberts choked back tears as he thanked the community and the police.

Then, as Alberts patted her back, Marie Van Diest added: "I would like to thank everybody who supported us with their generosity, kindness and just any way they helped.

"We would like to express a heartfelt thank you and eternal gratitude to the RCMP ... We hoped and prayed that this day would come, and now that it's here, perhaps we can all begin the slow healing process."

The Vancouver Sun has learned that several months ago, investigators started repeatedly questioning those who know Foerster, including his ex-landlord. He had lived in an apartment above a machinery storage shop in a rural property outside of Lumby.

Vernon RCMP Supt. Reg Burgess said he hoped news of the arrest offered "a degree of solace" to the victim's family.

"The senseless murder of Taylor Van Diest, a young and vibrant member of our community, has hit us very hard," he said.

Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper said the arrests are a relief to residents.

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Police release video of accused killer Matthew Foerster (with video)
Taylor van Diest was found badly beaten and died in hospital
April 11, 2012

Police have taken the unusual step of releasing a video of accused killer Matthew Foerster, hoping it will prompt more tips about his movements between the Halloween night killing of Taylor Van Diest and his arrest last week.

"The video itself is to assist anyone who sees this individual's gait and how he moves... for the purpose of assisting anyone who may have information who hasn't come forward," RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in an interview.

VIEW VIDEO

Foerster, 26, was arrested last week in the high-profile killing of 18-year-old Van Diest, who was attacked while out for Halloween in her home town of Armstrong, situated just north of Vernon. It appears to have been a random attack.

Foerster, originally of Cherryville, which is 50 km east of Vernon, was charged with second-degree murder and his father Stephen Roy Foerster was charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who had contact with Matthew Foerster on the night of the killing, as well as for tips about his movements between December and March. After being on the lam for much of that time, police found him hiding out north of Toronto in the resort town of Collingwood, Ont.

"We are interested in hearing from anyone from Cherryville all the way to Collingwood who can assist us in his timeline or his activities," Moskaluk said.

Matthew Foerster was also charged last week in two other unsolved crimes involving attacks on women in the B.C. Interior.

RCMP say another reason for releasing the video is "an effort to determine whether there are any other offenses that need further review."

Moskaluk said the RCMP has to comply with Privacy Act legislation before releasing such a video, and said officers felt it was warranted in this case.

Foerster has been returned to B.C. and made a brief court appearance Tuesday in Kelowna court. His next court appearance is scheduled via video link for May 10.

Van Diest was found beaten and unconscious near the railway tracks in Armstrong and later died in hospital of head injuries. The arrest brought relief to her family and many residents of her saddened home town.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Police+release+video+accused+killer+Matthew+Foerster+with+video/6443872/story.html#ixzz1suvCRy42

Murder suspect's father granted bail
May 14, 2012

Stephen Foerster has been granted bail.

The judge in the case set bail at $100,000 cash.

Foerster has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and obstruction of justice in the October 31 beating death of Armstrong teen, Taylor Van Diest.

His son, Matthew, has been charged with first degree murder.

The judge granted bail while noting Foerster’s past criminal record, which included auto theft and narcotics, and his potential ability to gain new identity documents.

The terms and conditions of his bail release stated he must reside at his home in Cherryville, unless granted written permission. He had to surrender his passport and was excluded from making contact with certain individuals involved in the trial.

Crown also added the condition that Foerster be barred from the municipality of Armstrong.

Friends and family of Taylor Van Diest as well as Foerster's wife were in court Monday.

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-75191-2-.htm

Foerster seeks bail, father granted $100,000 release
May 16, 2012

Despite facing charges in three separate incidences, including the murder of Taylor Van Diest, Matthew Foerster, 26, is seeking bail.

After appearing in Kelowna Law Courts via video Thursday, May 10, Foerster will next go before a judge June 21 for a judicial interim release, or bail. His father Stephen Roy Foerster, charged with accessory to murder after the fact, was granted bail May 14, though he hasn’t yet raised the $100,000 amount. Few other facts are released on his case as a publication ban is in place.

http://www.okadvertiser.com/tags/taylor-van-diest

Man charged in connection to Van Diest murder still in custody
May 23, 2012


Photo Credit: File , CHBC News

A man charged in connection to a high-profile Armstrong murder case remains in custody even though he has been granted bail.

Stephen Foerster, 58, of Cherryville is charged with being an accessory after the fact in the murder of Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest, 18, last Halloween. His son Matthew is charged with first-degree murder.

Stephen was granted bail last week but only if he could post $100,000; he has not been able to do so. Stephen, who has a new lawyer, may challenge the ruling to get the cash amount reduced.

His case has been put over until June 13.

http://www.chbcnews.ca/man+charged+in+connection+to+van+diest+murder+still+in+custody/6442647187/story.html