British Columbia

B.C. man charged with murder in the death of his mother: RCMP

A 35-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Jo-Anne Donovan, whose body was found over a year ago in Kamloops. 

Brandon Jeremiah Donovan is accused of killing his mother, Jo-Anne Donovan, who was found dead in March 2023

A photo of a blonde woman wearing glasses smiling.
A photo released by Kamloops RCMP of Jo-Anne Donovan, 57, who Mounties say was found dead near her Westsyde residence in March 2023. Her son has been charged with one count of second-degree murder. (Kamloops RCMP)

A 35-year-old man from Kamloops, B.C., has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Jo-Anne Donovan, whose body was found over a year ago. 

Kamloops RCMP said Brandon Jeremiah Donovan was arrested on Friday after the B.C. Prosecution Service approved the charge.

"He was arrested without incident," Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn told CBC News.

Evelyn said police spent more than a year gathering evidence in the case. 

Jo-Anne Donovan, 57, was last seen on March 13, 2023. Her body was discovered about a week later near the mobile home she shared with her son in the Westsyde area.

Court records indicate the murder occurred on March 13, 2023, but investigators have not disclosed the cause of Jo-Anne's death.

"We are extremely pleased to have advanced this homicide investigation to the charge approval stage, which is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our SCU [Serious Crime Unit] and support units," Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley said.

Jeremiah Donovan is expected to make a court appearance soon but a court date has not yet been posted. 

Police say they will release no further details on the case as it is now before the courts.

With files from Marcella Bernardo