On February 3, 2026, the long-running case of former B.C. lawyer Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo reached its conclusion. A B.C. Supreme Court justice found him guilty of the first-degree murder of his client, Mohd Abdullah, ending a trial that exposed a gruesome tale of greed and premeditation.
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The court heard how a professional relationship turned into a deadly scam. The key details of the case included:
- Financial Fraud: Abdullah had entrusted Bagabuyo with $780,000 to hide it during a divorce. Instead of protecting the funds, Bagabuyo spent nearly the entire amount on personal debts and living expenses.
- The Lure: When Abdullah demanded his money back, Bagabuyo lured him to his law office on March 1, 2022, under the guise of a meeting.
- The Attack: Abdullah was stabbed repeatedly and then strangled with a garrote. The judge noted the “unnecessary” level of violence used to “ensure” the victim was dead.
Why the Judge Ruled “First-Degree”
While the defense argued the killing was a spontaneous act of “heat-of-the-moment” manslaughter, Justice Kathleen Ker disagreed, citing chilling evidence of planning:
| Evidence Type | Details |
| The “To-Do” List | Police found a cue card where Bagabuyo wrote notes on how to evade police, including reminders to leave his phone behind and disable GPS. |
| The Supplies | Bagabuyo had pre-purchased a large plastic bin and plastic wrap specifically to transport and hide the body. |
| The Cover-Up | He attempted to trick a friend into helping him dispose of the “luggage,” which actually contained Abdullah’s remains. |
The Final Sentence
Bagabuyo, who had been out on bail for several years, was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody. Under Canadian law, his first-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
“This was not a sudden loss of control,” Justice Ker stated. “It was a cold, calculated plan to silence a man who was about to expose a massive theft.”
