Two charged with murder after fatal Chilliwack knife fight

Two people are facing second-degree murder charges after a knife fight in Chilliwack ended in the deaths of two men and the injury of a woman.

Kirkland Joseph Russell, 34, and Victoria Sherri Purcell, 29, stand accused of killing Douglas Presseau, 46.

According to a release from IHIT, the fight occurred on the evening of Friday, July 7 at Young Road and Princess Avenue.

Chilliwack RCMP arrived at the scene at 10 pm and found two people had been fatally stabbed – Presseau, as previously mentioned, and Steve Drage, 51.

A third female victim, aged 26, had also been stabbed, but was still alive. She was taken to hospital for treatment and has now been released.

All involved were Chilliwack residents. Russell and Purcell made their first court appearance on Monday.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is working on the case with the Chilliwack RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section, the Integrated Police Dog Service, the Integrated Emergency Response Team, and the BC Coroner’s Service.

In the release, Corp. Meghan Foster said the case unfolded rapidly and few details were released until now, “to keep the investigation on track.”

“Securing charge approval is a positive step in this investigation, but much work remains to be done,” said Foster.

“Our investigative efforts continue as we move forward with the investigation into the death of Mr. Drage, and we ask anyone with information about his death to contact police.”

No details of motive or the events leading up to the fight will be released to “protect the court process,” said Foster.

Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or [email protected], or to stay anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or bccrimestoppers.com.