RCMP and Vancouver Police, including the organized crime
team, also attended the funeral – many taking pictures – at the church on 203rd
Street in west Maple Ridge, where hundreds of motorcycles lined the parking lot.
Members of the Hells Angels wore bars on their backs
representing B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. An RCMP officer would only confirm that it was a funeral for
a member of the Hells Angels
Wilson, 43, was a former member of the Haney Chapter of the
Hells Angels and had joined the motorcycle club’s newest one, the Hardside Chapter.
“R.I.P. Chad Wilson. Today is one of the hardest days I’ve
had to face. Our charter, the club and the world will never be the same. You’re
a Legend and your family will be with us forever my brother! See you on the
other side. always us,” read a Facebook post by Jewsifer, which is linked to
the Hardside Chapter’s website.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed
Wilson’s death. Ridge Meadows RCMP said they were working with homicide
investigators.
“Mr. Wilson was a well-established member of an organized
crime group and it is believed that his homicide was not random. IHIT will be
engaging with numerous gang enforcement units throughout the Lower Mainland
region that will be working to mitigate any ongoing violence,” Cpl. Frank Jang
of IHIT said previously. “While the motive for Mr. Wilson’s murder has not been
confirmed, this is yet another reminder of the significant dangers posed to
one’s life by being part of a criminal organization.”
Wilson was one of four men arrested in Spain in 2013 on
allegations of smuggling cocaine and who had links to the Mission and Haney
chapters of the Hells Angels.
B.C.’s anti-gang unit confirmed then that Mission full-patch
member Jason Cyrus Arkinstall and Wilson were arrested by Spain’s National
Police along with associates Scott Smitna and Michael Dryborough.
Spanish police alleged the men were involved in smuggling
500 kilograms of cocaine into the country.
A statement from Spanish police said the investigation began
after authorities were tipped off about a group of Canadian Hells Angels who
were planning to ship cocaine from Columbia to Spain by sailboat.
The discovery of Wilson’s body was made just before 11:30
a.m., just west of Wharf Street and Hazelwood Street.
Several men wearing Hells Angels insignia arrived on scene,
crossing the police tape to talk to investigators.
SOURCE: Maple Ridge News