A 26-year-old, Taylor Japp, is on trial for second-degree murder in connection with the death of Briana Hayes, a 28-year-old mother of three, whose body was discovered in an outhouse at an abandoned farm in rural Saskatchewan. The jury was presented with testimony from four RCMP officers detailing their involvement in the investigation following a reported possible homicide.
Prosecutors allege that Hayes, who was battling addiction, agreed to sell drugs for Japp and live with him in Oxbow, a community located southeast of Regina. The prosecution claims that Japp shot Hayes in the kitchen of a house and then coerced an acquaintance to help dispose of the body at the abandoned farm.
The Crown asserts that RCMP were alerted to the incident after the acquaintance informed a friend, who then called 911. Evidence collection efforts included forensic analysis of the crime scene, the victim’s body, and a vehicle believed to be owned by Japp.
During the trial, it was revealed that Japp attempted to have evidence disposed of by an associate and allegedly offered money to have the acquaintance killed. The victim’s uncle, Michael Hayes, also played a role in the investigation, eventually obtaining the alleged murder weapon after a car accident.
The defence has yet to present its case, and the trial is set to continue until October 9.