Fraternal bloodletting is a shocking byproduct of internecine fighting in outlaw biker groups.
The brotherhood component only goes so far.
Such is the case of the shocking kidnapping and murder of a Kitchener man who had outlaw biker ties.
Jason John Brown was kidnapped from a cemetery in Harriston — about 17 km southwest of Mount Forest — on March 12, 2019. His body was found 200 km away the next day off Stevenson Rd. in Oshawa.
Cops announced on Monday they had arrested two more people in Brown’s slaying. That brings the total number of accused to five.
For Brown’s family, the shock was that one of the accused killers was his best friend, Matthew Drumond, 38, of London, Ont., who is now charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
“That was my brother’s best friend, Mathew Drumond, for years,” Nancy Brown told CTV News. “Which, again, is more shocking to us now.”
She added: “To live 2,133 days, today, and know they did this to somebody. That’s five birthdays (with) his kids. That’s two high school graduations he didn’t get to see because of some people’s deep, dark demons.
“Just because there’s been five arrests doesn’t mean there’s any more healing being done. Daily. Hourly. It’s all the time. It’s constant thoughts.”
And cops say the investigation is not over, with a $50,000 reward still being offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. OPP detectives said they believe “there are still individuals who have intimate knowledge of Mr. Brown’s death.”
Brown was a one-time probationary member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club while Joshua Drumond and Matthew Drumond (it is not known if the pair are related) are full-patch members, cops said.
Joshua Alexander Drumond was arrested in November 2023 in Edmonton. He’s charged with first-degree murder, along with kidnapping.
Steven Jon Walsom-Gerigs, of Brantford, is also charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping, while Travis Willard Wand, of Wellington North, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a weapon, kidnapping and several other offences.
Jessica Martin, 35, of North Perth, is also charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
So far, cops have been tight-lipped on possible motives for the murder.
But Brown’s family is vowing to see the investigation and court cases through to the bitter end.
“I just need them to know that we will not stop until we get justice for him,” Nancy Brown told CTV News.
Another sister, Tara Brown, said of her brother: “Anyone that has met him, he had his faults. Everybody does. But anyone that’s met him has always said that he has a big heart.
“To have that taken away from my niece and nephew – my brother’s kids – to have their dad taken away … I hope (whoever did this) sits up at night and it haunts them.”
Tips can be made to Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anyone with information, who prefers to remain anonymous, can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
@HunterTOSun