Father and son charged in connection with Taylor Van Diest murder case

Armstrong RCMP news release

Taylor Van Diest

RCMP ask for the public's help to advance investigation

Multiple charges have been laid in a series of investigations that included the tragic death of 18 year old Taylor Van Diest on October 31, 2011.

The RCMP Southeast District Major Crimes Unit and Armstrong RCMP, police confirmed on Thursday April 5th that two individuals have been arrested in connection with murder of Taylor Van Diest and two other incidents that occurred in 2004 and 2005.

Today’s announcement is a result of the thousands of investigative man hours, thousands of tips and extensive forensic analysis and specialized investigative techniques and avenues, said Insp. Brendan Fitzpatrick, Operations Officer for the RCMP’s BC Major Crime Section.

Matthew Stephen Foerster
RCMP are asking for information

26 year old Matthew Stephen Foerster, a former resident of Cherryville BC, has been charged with one count of 2nd degree murder for the October 31st death of Taylor Van Diest. He has also been charged with one count of sexual assault and unlawful confinement in connection with the April 12, 2005 sexual assault of a Kelowna woman. Additional charges have been laid in connection with a home invasion that took place October 19, 2004 in Cherryville BC, in which a 19 year old young woman was assaulted.


Shortly before 11:00 am (PST) on Wednesday April 4th, BC RCMP, Southeast District Major Crimes Unit arrested Matthew Stephen Foerster, on a Canada wide warrant, at a motel in Collingwood, Ontario. The BC RCMP officers were assisted by investigators from the Collingwood O.P.P. and Ontario RCMP. The arrest was completed without incident and efforts are underway to transport him back to BC to answer to the charges.

58 year old Stephen Roy Foerster, Matthew’s father and a current resident of Cherryville, BC has been charged with Obstruction of Justice and Accessory After the Fact to murder in connection with the homicide death of Taylor Van Diest. He was arrested without incident at his residence around 2:20 pm (PST) on Wednesday April 4th.

"Our Southeast District Major Crime Unit took the lead on this investigation, they utilized resources from our local detachment, E Division Major Crime Section, partner agencies and many other RCMP support services to identify the suspect and bring this case before the court," said Supt. Reg Burgess, the Officer in Charge of Vernon/North Okanagan Detachment. "Although the investigation was a multifaceted joint effort, it is the leaders and teams on our Southeast District Major Crime Unit who coordinated the efforts and worked this case hard to obtain the success we have to date."

"While the work done by the investigators cannot be overstated, I must also recognize the high degree of support and assistance received from the public and the media at large, said Insp. Brendan Fitzpatrick. The combined efforts stand as a prime example of the effectiveness of the public and media working together with police."

While arrests have been made, the investigation is ongoing. Investigators are continuing their efforts to establish a detailed time line of Matthew Foerster’s activities on the day and night of Taylor’s murder on October 31st, 2011 and his travel and activities from December 2011 to March 2012.

RCMP are releasing photos of Matthew Stephen Foerster in order to advance this investigation and in an effort to determine whether there are any other offenses that need further review. Anyone who may have information is asked to call the specially created tip line 1-888-688-4264 established for this investigation.

Matthew Stephen Foerster
RCMP are asking for information