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㽶ƵֱThey both had such big hearts㽶Ƶֱ: Father and son identified as victims in Island killings

Tom and Brad Johnson known for their big hearts and willingness to help out anyone

A father and son have been identified as the victims of a double-homicide at a Crofton residence early Saturday morning.

Tom and Brad Johnson were found dead in the home at 6848 Crofton Road when North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP arrived just after midnight. Justin James Dodd, 33, of Duncan was arrested at the scene and since charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

Dodd is expected to appear before the courts through a video conference Nov. 2.

The deaths have sent shockwaves throughout the communities of Crofton and Chemainus. Family members and friends have flooded the Facebook pages of the two men with messages.

㽶ƵֱThey were like family,㽶Ƶֱ noted Mel Behan-Millard. 㽶ƵֱI called Brad bro and his dad, Tom, dad. I just wanna know why. They were innocent and loving people. I can㽶Ƶֱt handle losing anyone else, I tell you. I can㽶Ƶֱt believe they are gone. I was talking to Brad two days before it happened on Facebook.㽶Ƶֱ

Terese Shearer lives in Falkland but has long been best friends with Chelsea Lloy, the sister of Brad and daughter of Tom.

㽶ƵֱYou hear about these murders all the time in documentaries and stuff like that,㽶Ƶֱ said Shearer. 㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs crazy to think it㽶Ƶֱs happening to you. All of a sudden the day comes and it was honestly devastating hearing that news.

㽶ƵֱIt honestly made me feel sick, knowing what happened. Honestly, it would have felt better if they had cancer or something you were prepared for. You㽶Ƶֱre absolutely in shock. You don㽶Ƶֱt know what to feel.㽶Ƶֱ

The crime scene remains active, with forensic investigators continuing to compile evidence. The BC Coroners Service has also been investigating the deaths.

Police have determined this to be an isolated incident, with no risk to the public.

According to Shearer, Dodd was living with Brad.

㽶ƵֱWith Brad and Tom, they both had such big hearts. They would do absolutely anything for anybody. They would give the shirts off their backs.㽶Ƶֱ

The whole incident, Shearer added, 㽶Ƶֱit just doesn㽶Ƶֱt make any sense.㽶Ƶֱ

Shearer said she and Chelsea are strong women and will get through this. They㽶Ƶֱve been through a lot together, but 㽶Ƶֱonly time can heal us at this point.㽶Ƶֱ

Anyone who has information about the incident who has not yet spoken to police is asked to call the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522 and cite file 2021-16672.



Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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