VANCOUVER — One of the three men charged in the 2014 slaying of a Vancouver teen has been identified as the son of a high-profile, former top Mountie who is suing the RCMP over allegations of sexual harassment.
Police charged Connor Campbell, 21, with first-degree murder on Sept. 8, 2015, more than a year and a half after 19-year-old Nicholas Hannon went missing. Campbell's friends Bradley Flaherty and Keith Tankard, both 20, also face first-degree murder charges.
Campbell's mother is former RCMP spokeswoman, Cpl. Catherine Galliford, who was the force's public face for some of its most high-profile cases, including the Air India and Robert Pickton investigations.
In 2012, Galliford launched a lawsuit against the RCMP following what she described as nearly two decades of ongoing bullying and sexual harassment.
While Campbell's father, current RCMP officer Darren Campbell, declined comment, Galliford confirmed her relationship to the accused on Sunday.
"Yes, he is my son," she said when reached by phone. "I know the three young men who are in jail and I care about all three of them deeply."
Hannon was last seen by his younger brother in February 2014. His abandoned vehicle was discovered the following day and police quickly suspected foul play.
A half year later the force's homicide investigation unit put out a call for public assistance, insisting investigators were aware that there were members in the community who knew what had happened to Hannon. Police said Hannon was at one point "acquaintances, if not friends," with the three accused.
Following the trio's arrest last month, the Mounties said they believe Hannon's death was the result of a confrontation that turned violent. His remains were subsequently retrieved from a heavily wooded area near Mission, B.C.
Investigators have not released any evidence nor information about a possible motive.
A funeral for Hannon took place in Langley, B.C., on Friday and an obituary in the Vancouver Sun described him as "a wonderful young man, with a dazzling smile and a sparkle in his eye."
That same newspaper reported that the three suspects charged were due to appear in court Monday to face the allegations.
