Jordan Workman

Jordan Douglas Workman was a 38-year-old man from Castlegar, British Columbia, who was born at his parents' home in nearby Trail and grew up in Rossland. His sudden and tragic death left behind the person his family called the light of his life: his young son, Isaac. He was also mourned by his mother, father, two sisters, extended family, friends, and his girlfriend. In the weeks following his death, his loved ones gathered for a Celebration of Life at St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Trail on February 9, 2018, and a fundraising campaign was established to support his son’s future post-secondary education.

The series of events that ended Jordan's life began to unfold on the night of Sunday, January 14, 2018. At around 9 p.m., the Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire on the southbound shoulder of Highway 22, about 11 kilometers north of Trail, just outside the small community of Genelle. The burning car was a 1999 silver Honda Civic that belonged to Jordan. After the flames were extinguished, a horrific discovery was made inside the car’s trunk: human remains that a forensic examination would later confirm belonged to Jordan Workman. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the BC Coroners Service quickly determined his death was a homicide.

The investigation, led by the RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit, soon established a timeline for Jordan's last known movements. The last confirmed sighting of him was in the Castlegar area on the evening of Saturday, January 13, 2018, the day before his body was found. Police were known to Jordan, and at the time of his death, he was scheduled to appear in Castlegar provincial court just two days later, on January 16, to face charges of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief under $5,000.

From early in the investigation, police have stated their belief that Jordan was the victim of a targeted killing and that his murder did not represent an increased safety risk to the general public. On the first anniversary of his death, investigators revealed they believed the crime was drug-related. They issued a public appeal, asking to speak with anyone who had contact with Jordan or had seen him or his silver Honda Civic at any point on January 13, 2018. The investigation showed signs of progress in the spring of 2018 when police executed a search warrant on a house in the 3100 block of Columbia Avenue in Castlegar on April 27. The RCMP confirmed the search was in support of the Workman homicide investigation, and at least one person was taken into custody, though no charges were announced.

The case has remained a priority for investigators in the years since. In February 2022, an RCMP spokesperson confirmed that Jordan Workman's murder was still an open and active investigation. Emphasizing the dedication of law enforcement to these files, the spokesperson stated that for the RCMP, "no case is ever cold." They explained that investigations have ebbs and flows, and a slowdown in tips allows police to review evidence and explore new avenues. Each case is considered unique and important, receiving the meticulous attention it deserves.

More than eight years after Jordan Workman was killed, his case remains unsolved, and his family is still waiting for answers and for justice to be served. The investigation into his death is ongoing. Police continue to seek new information from the public and encourage anyone who may know something about Jordan's activities on or before January 13, 2018, or who has any information about his death, to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call the Trail and Greater District RCMP Detachment at 250-364-2566 or to provide a tip anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).