B.C. Daily Digest — Jan. 11, 2026

Saanich homicide — suspect charged

• A Vancouver Island man, Muhammed Ali Basar (turning 47 in 2026), has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Laura Gover-Basar. Laura was a mother of two and an instructor in the School of Business at Camosun College.
• The death was investigated beginning Jan. 5 after a report of a suspicious death at a home in the 1600-block of Blair Avenue in Saanich. Basar remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 21.
• The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) is involved; police have not disclosed how the death was reported or whether 911 was called.

Abbotsford shooting tied to gang conflict

• Investigators say the Fraser Valley’s latest homicide is linked to B.C.’s ongoing gang war. The victim, Navpreet Dhaliwal, 28, of Abbotsford, was found with life‑threatening injuries after a reported shooting on the 3200 block of Siskin Drive and died at the scene despite efforts by BC Emergency Health Services.
• The Abbotsford Police Department and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) describe the shooting as targeted and are treating it as gang‑related.

IHIT and local police seek witnesses and footage

• Authorities are asking anyone with CCTV, dash‑cam or phone video from the area of Blue Jay Street and Siskin Drive to come forward. IHIT is appealing to witnesses who may have seen suspicious vehicles or people around the time of the shooting.
• Contact details and evidence‑submission instructions are being handled by IHIT and Abbotsford Police.

Recipe: Roasted vegetable & chickpea shawarma bowl (corrected)

• Corrected recipe highlights: 3 cups cooked quinoa; roasted vegetables & chickpeas; 1 pint cherry tomatoes; 1 cup sliced English cucumber; 2 cups shredded cabbage; 1 cup crumbled feta; fresh cilantro and mint; tahini sauce for drizzling.
• The story corrects an earlier error and provides the complete ingredient list and method for a warming, spice‑forward bowl.

Maple Leafs benefit from returning players

• The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Vancouver Canucks 5–0 after William Nylander returned from a six‑game absence (scored 1 goal, 2 assists). Jake McCabe also returned; Brandon Carlo is in his third game back.
• Toronto is on a three‑game overall win streak and a seven‑game home winning streak, sitting one point outside a playoff spot. Coach Craig Berube credited improved health and stabilizing goaltending.