Elderly woman in custody
Nelson Bennett, Richmond News; with files from Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Richmond senior citizen described by neighbours as an "absolute sweetheart of a lady" has been charged with a murder that went unsolved for 16 years.
Jean Ann James, 69, was arrested Friday at her home on Bridge Street. She made a brief court appearance Monday and remains in custody.
She is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Gladys Wakabayashi in Vancouver.
The 41-year-old daughter of a Taiwanese billionaire was found stabbed to death on June 24, 1992 in her Shaughnessy home, which she shared with her 12-year-old daughter.
A land title search shows that James and her husband, Derek, an air traffic controller, own a home on Bridge Street. They have been the registered owners since 1987.
James' neighbours expressed shock and incredulity when told their neighbour had been charged with murder.
"My God, I would find that impossible to believe," one neighbour told the News. "I've known her for 10 years. She's an absolute sweetheart of a lady. She's honestly one of the best neighbours I've had."
Another neighbour said Jean and Derek James were animal lovers. Their home is festooned with Christmas displays, plants and bird feeders.
"She's a really neat lady," one neighbour said. " She's really socially aware. Very generous. From what I know of her, she's an outstanding citizen."
James' social awareness included opposing a residential development on No. 4 Road in 2003. James wrote a letter to the editor and had made petitions to city council opposing the development.
Wakabayashi's body was discovered by her estranged husband, Shinji Wakabayashi, according to the Province newspaper.
Reached by phone at their home in Vancouver, Wakabayashi's wife said her husband did not wish to comment. However, she confirmed that her husband and Gladys Wakabayashi had been living apart when Gladys Wakabayashi was killed.
Staff Sgt. Bruce Hulan of the Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit said James had been interviewed during the initial investigation. "During that period there was insufficient evidence to lay a charge," Hulan said.
Hulan's unit received the cold case file two years ago, and all the old evidence was reviewed.
"We did some further testing of exhibits -- DNA testing that wasn't available back in 1992 when this offence occurred," Hulan said. "We have new evidence that led us to be able to recommend charges. What that evidence is I'm not at liberty to discuss."
According to press coverage at the time of the murder, Gladys Wakabayashi was allegedly having an affair with a married man whose wife learned about it days before the murder. James is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 18.
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