Chloe Berry, 6, (left) and Aubrey Berry, 4, in an undated photo.
The 43-year-old father of two girls found dead in an Oak Bay apartment on Christmas Day has been charged with murder.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) and RCMP’s B.C. Island District said Andrew Berry has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of four-year-old Aubrey Berry and six-year-old Chloe Berry.
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According to police, Berry was arrested and charged upon his release from the hospital.
Police were called to an apartment in Oak Bay on Dec. 25 after Berry failed to return the two girls to their mother at the proper scheduled time.
Berry was found with self-inflicted wounds and was taken to hospital. The girls were found slain in the residence.
The VIIMCU is still investigating the double homicide and victim services is working with those impacted by the killings.
“From the moment the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit arrived, they have been compassionate, professional, and diligent. We’ve been engaged with them throughout this investigation and we’re very grateful for their tireless effort,” Deputy Chief of the Oak Bay Police Department Ray Bernoties said in a statement.
Second-degree murder is defined as a deliberate killing that is not premeditated or planned or committed in a heat of passion. It does not fall under any of the categories of first-degree murder.
A first-degree murder is defined as a culpable homicide that is planned and deliberate. Both aspects must be demonstrated in order for the homicide to be considered first-degree murder.
Some homicides are automatically considered first-degree murder even if they weren’t intentional or planned. These include killing a police officer or another person employed to maintain the public peace. Killing committed in the course of hijacking, sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, forcible confinement, hostage taking, terrorism, intimidation, criminal harassment or any offence committed on behalf of a criminal organization is also considered first-degree murder.
Alexa Huffman
