Lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, was accused of placing the remains of 60-year-old Thompson River University instructor Mohd Abdullah in a plastic bin and is charged with one count of interfering with a dead body.
It is not yet known if it is believed to be linked to the homicide itself.
Abdullah’s daughter, Sarah Jeet Lalata-Buco, lives in the Philippines and says she last spoke to her father on March 7, a week before his disappearance and 10 days before his body was found.
Lalata-Buco described her father, who worked in the computer science department at Thompson Rivers University, as a gentle man with a strong work ethic.
“My dad is a quiet man, but he is kind,” he said. “He always gives me wisdom whenever we talk. Whenever he visits me here in the Philippines, he always speaks to me – conversations from the heart.”
“A tender father” who was close to the accused
Her husband, Jules Buko, described Abdullah as a “humble” man whom he could always turn to for advice.
“A loving dad, that’s how I see him,” he said.
Kamloops, BC, lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, was charged with interfering with human remains on March 21. (Kamloops Collaborative Family Law Association)
Buco said Abdullah and Bagabuyo were close friends and often heard about the lawyer from his father-in-law.
“He says this man is a trusted friend, a good friend … whenever he needs legal advice, he always goes to Butch,” he said.
The accused was released on bail
The RMCP says that 60-year-old Abdullah was last informed on March 11 and was declared missing on March 14, after he did not show up for work.
He was found dead in a vehicle in the 1600-block of Monterey Place on March 17 and on March 23 police said he was believed to have been the victim of homicide.
Bagabuyo is accused of placing Abdullah’s remains in a plastic bin and is charged with one count of interfering with a dead body.
Bagabuyo was released on bail on Friday.
Police continue to seek public information about the case and published Abdullah images – described as five feet eight inches height and 126 kilos with black hair and brown eyes – in the hope of making jogging the memory of possible control.
The RCMP previously published an image of a white van linked to the investigation. The van is described as a white GMC Budget 2020 rental truck with license plate BC PJ 9131.
Police say the van may have traveled to Kamloops and surrounding rural communities, such as Barriere, Clearwater, Savona, Cache Creek and further to Valemount.
The RCMP published images of Mohd Abdullah on March 14, 2022. Abdullah is believed to be a homicide victim. (RCMP)
Thompson Rivers University said in a statement that Abdullah worked at the university for 21 years, playing an important role in the faculty of science and open learning. The university said it was working with police and providing counseling for those in need.
Police have not said whether charges against Bagabuyo will be made again.
Bagabuyo’s next appearance in court is on April 21.
Anyone with information about this van is kindly requested to contact Kamloops RCMP immediately. (Kamloops RCMP)
title: “B.C. Lawyer Accused Of Placing Human Remains In Plastic Bin Was Victim S Trusted Friend Family Says " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-22” author: “Christine Wordlaw”
Lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, was accused of placing the remains of 60-year-old Thompson River University instructor Mohd Abdullah in a plastic bin and is charged with one count of interfering with a dead body.
It is not yet known if it is believed to be linked to the homicide itself.
Abdullah’s daughter, Sarah Jeet Lalata-Buco, lives in the Philippines and says she last spoke to her father on March 7, a week before his disappearance and 10 days before his body was found.
Lalata-Buco described her father, who worked in the computer science department at Thompson Rivers University, as a gentle man with a strong work ethic.
“My dad is a quiet man, but he is kind,” he said. “He always gives me wisdom whenever we talk. Whenever he visits me here in the Philippines, he always speaks to me – conversations from the heart.”
“A tender father” who was close to the accused
Her husband, Jules Buko, described Abdullah as a “humble” man whom he could always turn to for advice.
“A loving dad, that’s how I see him,” he said.
Kamloops, BC, lawyer Rogelio Butch Bagabuyo, 54, was charged with interfering with human remains on March 21. (Kamloops Collaborative Family Law Association)
Buco said Abdullah and Bagabuyo were close friends and often heard about the lawyer from his father-in-law.
“He says this man is a trusted friend, a good friend … whenever he needs legal advice, he always goes to Butch,” he said.
The accused was released on bail
The RMCP says that 60-year-old Abdullah was last informed on March 11 and was declared missing on March 14, after he did not show up for work.
He was found dead in a vehicle in the 1600-block of Monterey Place on March 17 and on March 23 police said he was believed to have been the victim of homicide.
Bagabuyo is accused of placing Abdullah’s remains in a plastic bin and is charged with one count of interfering with a dead body.
Bagabuyo was released on bail on Friday.
Police continue to seek public information about the case and published Abdullah images – described as five feet eight inches height and 126 kilos with black hair and brown eyes – in the hope of making jogging the memory of possible control.
The RCMP previously published an image of a white van linked to the investigation. The van is described as a white GMC Budget 2020 rental truck with license plate BC PJ 9131.
Police say the van may have traveled to Kamloops and surrounding rural communities, such as Barriere, Clearwater, Savona, Cache Creek and further to Valemount.
The RCMP published images of Mohd Abdullah on March 14, 2022. Abdullah is believed to be a homicide victim. (RCMP)
Thompson Rivers University said in a statement that Abdullah worked at the university for 21 years, playing an important role in the faculty of science and open learning. The university said it was working with police and providing counseling for those in need.
Police have not said whether charges against Bagabuyo will be made again.
Bagabuyo’s next appearance in court is on April 21.
Anyone with information about this van is kindly requested to contact Kamloops RCMP immediately. (Kamloops RCMP)
