A Gibsons man has been charged with second-degree murder after his mother was found dead in her home on Sargent Road.
RCMP discovered the body of Moirin Gladys Webster in a residence in the 500-block of Sargent Road at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said in a release issued Dec. 29.
Ms. Webster, a prominent figure in Gibsons’ churchgoing community, leaves behind four children and seven grandchildren, with one on the way, according to her pastor, Matt Rowan of Christ the King Church.
The deceased woman’s injuries were “consistent with homicide,” IHIT said.
“The officers went in and as soon as they saw the body inside the home, it was clearly a homicide based on the injuries,” said Sgt. Frank Jang of IHIT.
Kevin Christopher Webster, 31, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
He was charged the next day with second-degree murder and remains in custody. His next court appearance in Sechelt was set for Jan. 6. Webster will remain in custody until he seeks bail before a Supreme Court judge.
Crown prosecutor Trevor Cockfield confirmed with Coast Reporter Kevin Webster’s relationship to Ms. Webster.
IHIT was called in to conduct the investigation and has been working closely with the Sunshine Coast RCMP and the other investigative teams to gather evidence, IHIT said in the Dec. 29 release.
Asked what type of weapon was used, Jang said, “We won’t be commenting on that. That will be part of the evidence presented in court.”
Isolated incident
There are no concerns for community safety, said Jang. “This was a tragic isolated incident involving members of the same household,” he said.
Cockfield said he is not aware of any criminal record on the part of Kevin Webster.
In a tweet, IHIT said, “We were told Ms. Webster was well-loved by all who knew her.”
Sunshine Coast RCMP Staff Sgt. Poppy Hallam expressed condolences on behalf of the detachment.
“This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts are heavy,” she said.
Pastor Rowan said Moirin Webster was a congregant since before he joined Christ the King Church in 2007 and has been a fixture of the Christian community in Gibsons since the late 1980s, and was known as “a woman of strong faith.”
Ms. Webster was involved in women’s groups, meeting for regular prayer groups online during COVID-19. Previously she had taught Sunday school and was “loved in that role,” said Rowan, adding “Moirin was in her element with kids.”
For three years she also ran a pre-school-aged children’s program, volunteering about 10 hours per week.
She had attended nursing school in Victoria and worked in seniors’ care, according to Rowan.
Neighbours described her as a dedicated parent and grandparent, as did Rowan. “What she valued, it was her family,” he said. “That was definitely where the energy of her life went.”
Mary Lou Guest, a neighbour and friendly acquaintance who knew Ms. Webster for more than 30 years, said “she was a mother bear with her children, just like any mother.”
Ms. Webster and her family were a fixture in the neighbourhood. “People who knew Moirin and know the situation are very sympathetic,” she said.
Shock and grieving
Ms. Webster lived on Sargent Road since the 1980s. In 1996, one of her children, Carly Webster, was awarded a Medal of Bravery by the Governor General of Canada at the age of 15 after rescuing a woman from an unprovoked attack by a man “exhibiting extremely aggressive behaviour” on Sargent Road, according to the Governor General’s website.
Rowan said the community is still in shock and grieving Ms. Webster’s death and there are no immediate plans for a celebration of life. “Our church is available to those with questions, struggling with grief or needing prayer in response to this tragedy.”
