B.C. man convicted of manslaughter, indignity to human remains in 2017 homicide

A B.C. man originally charged with second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of a young mother near Mission, B.C., was convicted of a lesser offence on Tuesday. 

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says Gary Losch, who was 62 at the time of the homicide, has been found guilty of manslaughter and indignity to human remains in relation to the death of 22-year-old Chelsey Gauthier, whose body was discovered outside of the Lower Mainland city on Aug. 16, 2017.

The young mother of two was reported missing to the Abbotsford Police Department by her family on July 30, 2017.

Just over two weeks later, her body was discovered near Sylvester Road and Dale Road northeast of Mission, about 70 kilometres east of Vancouver.

In September 2022, IHIT said Gary Losch had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and interference with a dead body.

On Tuesday, Abbotsford Supreme Court Justice Dev Dley found Losch instead guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, as well as indignity to human remains.

At the time of Losch's arrest, investigators said the 62-year-old had been identified as a suspect in the death early in the investigation. They said Losch had offered to pay Gauthier to help with his illegal outdoor marijuana growing operation.

Ray Gauthier said his daughter had not been employed by Losch, but had agreed to clip plants in exchange for one.

In a statement provided by IHIT Thursday, Gauthier's father said their family is grateful for the work of police and prosecutors over the past eight years. 

"Chelsey loved her family and friends and she will not be forgotten," he said.

IHIT says a sentencing hearing for Losch will be scheduled in the coming weeks.