The central Alberta family of a man recently killed in B.C. wants more help for those struggling with drug addiction.

The family of 36-year-old Billy Bradshaw, who all grew up in Red Deer, has identified their son and brother as one of two victims in a double homicide that happened earlier this month in the area of Saanich, B.C.

Police there say another 36-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of the other victim, a woman, and is being held in custody. He hasn’t formally been charged in Bradshaw’s death. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) is leading the investigation.

Early on, police had only said that they believed the accused knew at least one of the victims.

Now, they are affirming Bradshaw’s ID, and saying the following about the incident which led to his death:

“On October 19, 2022, at approximately 2:15 pm, the Saanich Police Department responded to a report of a deceased male in the grassy median between the northbound and southbound lanes of Blanshard Street, just south of Saanich Road. Officers attended the location and found the 36-year-old man having sustained life-threatening injuries. Investigators are now identifying the victim as Bradshaw in hopes of advancing the investigation. Investigators continue to build a timeline of events of Mr. Bradshaw’s last movements. They are still working to determine if there are any connections between the two homicide investigations from the same date in Saanich. VIIMCU is asking any witnesses or anyone with dash camera video who were travelling in the northbound and/or southbound lanes of Blanshard Street, between Cloverdale Road and Saanich Road, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., or who has any information regarding Mr. Bradshaw, to contact the VIIMCU Information Line at 250-380-6211.

Jillian Bradshaw said her brother was constantly in jail from the age of 17 until he was 30, never out for more than a year.

But he had been out for about seven years at the time of his death, having spent some time in a safe-house in the Saanich area, near Victoria.

“He couldn’t function anymore in society, and no matter how hard he tried, he kept falling back,” she says of Billy, describing him in his younger years as compassionate.

“At some point, he had become completely institutionalized. It’s terrible that there isn’t more to help these people.”

Bradshaw, now living in Rocky Mountain House and a graduate with honors in addictions and community health, would like to see a national network of wrap-around services where both people experiencing drug use, and their loved ones, can go for assistance.

Bradshaw is determined to be part of the solution and wants to see new resources pop up in communities across the country.

“When he was put into the penitentiary, they should’ve dealt with the addiction from the get-go,” says Bradshaw, who is of the understanding that her brother never injected drugs for the first time until he was in jail.

“Recently was the first time he’d been out of jail for such a lengthy period, and that told me he was really working towards change and getting better. He’d messaged us quite a bit and would admit he was still struggling, but was trying nonetheless.”

Bradshaw, a recovered user of drugs herself, adds that her heart breaks for families and individuals struggling with addiction.

“When is enough enough? Part of the vigil we’re going to hold will focus on others,” she shares.

“I want to see everybody there including those who are using now; come and hold a light. I could list so many names of people I know who’ve died because of this disease.”

A vigil in Red Deer in Billy’s honour is in the works, Bradshaw says, but details are yet be finalized.

—

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and needs help, here is a list of resources in central Alberta:

Turning Point – 403-346-8858

Central Alberta Narcotics Anonymous – 403-846-5798

Safe Harbour Society – 403-347-0181

Canadian Mental Health Association – 403-342-2266

Care Gateway Medical Clinic – 587-457-2589