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The man charged with second-degree murder in the death of a teen girl killed in Surrey last week is a convicted rapist.
Raymond Lee Caissie, 43, was the subject of a public warning last year after he was released from prison, serving 22 years for rape, forcible confinement and robbery.
“(The offender) has a criminal history including sexual assault with a weapon (and) forcible confinement and robbery” among other offences, according to the statement, which said the man was on bail supervision at the time.
“(The offender) has maintained a varied pattern of offending, having offended both violently and sexually, in both an opportunistic and impulsive manner.”
According to the Surrey Provincial Court, the accused will make his next court appearance on Oct. 2.
Vermeersch, 17, was reported missing by her mother on Sept. 15 — the teen was supposed to be walking home but never arrived — and found the next day.
Police have called the murder a random act and said they hope the arrest offers some comfort to the victim’s family.
“Nothing angers me more than seeing an innocent person become the victim of a violent, senseless crime,” said Chief Supt. Bill Fordy of the Surrey RCMP.
“As I stand here now, Serena should be at Sullivan Heights Secondary School having a laugh with her classmates and perhaps thinking about graduation.
“Sadly, that’s not the case.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
