A 25-year-old accused of murdering a Tofino man two years ago has been released on $30,000 bail.
Luke Priddle is charged with second-degree murder, robbery and theft of a motor vehicle. He was arrested by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit and Nanaimo RCMP on Dec. 12, 2022.
Police have not released the name of his 47-year-old victim.
The case dates back to Dec. 30, 2020, when Tofino RCMP were asked to do a wellness check at a residence in the 1300-block of Chesterman Beach Road and found a body. The death was immediately deemed to be suspicious.
Priddle was taken into custody in Nanaimo the same day and later released without charge. At the time, police said the man’s death was believed to be an isolated incident.
Priddle has been released on conditions that include an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew. He must surrender all travel documents, including his passports. He is prohibited from drinking alcohol or taking non-prescription drugs. He must not possess any weapons.
His next court appearance in Nanaimo is Feb. 8.
