The Owen Sound community finally got answers on Thursday regarding the identity of the suspects in the death of Sharifur Rahman.
The Ontario Provincial Police and the Owen Sound Police Service revealed that the suspects in the assault had fled the country after the attack on August 17, 2023.
Investigators now say that three individuals, all citizens of the United Kingdom, have been charged in connection with Rahman's death.
Robert Evans, 24, was charged with manslaughter on August 15, 2024. Due to a sealing order and one suspect still outstanding at the time, police said they couldn't share more details.
Robert Busby Evans, 47, and Barry Evans, 54, have both been charged with accessory after the fact.
OSPS Chief Craig Ambrose said it was tough not being able to communicate updates until now.
"I've been wanting for a long time to be able to stand up and provide more details and allow the community to start the healing process," he said. "This had a significant impact on our community and the fact that we weren't able to, because of the circumstances, provide as much detail as we would have liked made it very difficult on, not just on the community but on police as well. There were questions as to 'What are you doing? Why is it taking so long?' The answer has always been... we're not just spinning our wheels, we're making active progress in the investigation."
However, many details on the case remain unclear, as OPP Det. Investigator Jane Conway said they couldn't share what the relationship of the three men is, what brought them to Canada, when they departed and more, as not to "jeopardize the extradition process."
Conway did note that police received over one hundred tips, which were invaluable to solving the crime.
During the press conference on Thursday, OSPS Det-Const. Chevonne Martin shared a statement from Rahman's wife Shayela Nasrin, who wrote that she was thankful for the support during the lengthy investigation.
"Although it is a complicated case, I have faith in the rule of law. I have been waiting patiently since Aug. 17, 2023 and I believe justice will be served for my husband," Nasrin wrote. "In addition, I am thankful to the community for the support we have received."
The three accused remain in the United Kingdom, where they are currently before the courts as part of extradition proceedings.
Authorities have not provided a timeline for their extradition to Canada.