Perth Homicide Manhunt: Safety Update as Two Second-Degree Murder Suspects Remain Wanted

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say Canada-wide warrants remain active for Joseph “Joey” Madore, 34, and Brayton Kennedy, 28, who are each charged with second-degree murder in the death of Christo Allison Richards, 34. Richards, an Ottawa man, was found with life-threatening injuries at Last Duel Park in Perth, Ontario, on April 12, 2026, and later died in hospital. The death was subsequently classified as a homicide.

The most recent public information places the two wanted men in different regions: police believe Madore may have been travelling or camping in remote areas of British Columbia, where he has reported connections to Richmond, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Terrace. Kennedy was last reported in the Moncton, New Brunswick, area, although his current location has not been made public. No public update reviewed for this brief confirms either man has been arrested or that the outstanding charges have changed. Police advise members of the public not to approach either individual and to call 911 with immediate sightings or information.

Community Context and Public Sentiment

The case has drawn particular attention because it began at a well-used municipal recreation area rather than a location commonly associated with serious violence. Last Duel Park, located along the Tay River, is known for camping, trails, picnic space and family recreation. Open-source reporting summarized for this brief did not identify other homicides or major violent incidents specifically at the park over the past year. That does not eliminate everyday safety considerations, but it does indicate this case is unusual for the site.

Online discussion reviewed in regional Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick forums reflects concern about the cross-country scope of the search. Commenters have also expressed frustration over uncertainty around the suspects’ whereabouts and concern for people using remote camping and backcountry areas. One anonymized, lightly edited community comment captured the reaction:

“A homicide investigation connected to a quiet Perth camping park is not something families expect when planning summer outings.”

Another recurring view focused on the need for caution without speculation:

“People in remote areas need clear official information, but they should leave any response to police.”

These comments reflect public sentiment, not verified case evidence. Residents should rely on updates from the OPP, local police and the RCMP, avoid sharing unverified alleged sightings, and report time-sensitive information directly to emergency services.

For readers comparing location-based safety information, Perth, New Brunswick crime statistics and safety data concern a separate community and should not be interpreted as data for Perth, Ontario. The distinction matters in cases where similarly named Canadian places appear in a multi-province investigation.

Statistical Overview: An Uncommon Event in a Small-Town Setting

Available regional reporting indicates that Lanark County, which includes Perth, generally experiences lower levels of violent crime than large urban centres. Local public-safety coverage more often involves property offences, impaired driving matters and occasional assaults than homicides at public parks. On that basis, the Last Duel Park homicide appears to be an exceptional event for the immediate setting, rather than evidence that the park is routinely unsafe.

At the provincial and national level, homicides remain relatively infrequent events, particularly in smaller communities, even as individual serious incidents can substantially affect how safe residents feel. Police-reported crime trends can vary by year, offence type and jurisdiction; they should be assessed using official data rather than social-media impressions alone. National surveys have also found that many Canadians perceive crime to be increasing, a perception that highly visible violent incidents and fugitive searches can intensify.

The practical safety takeaway is targeted rather than broad: there is no public indication that ordinary users of Last Duel Park face a generalized, ongoing threat connected to this investigation. However, the outstanding Canada-wide warrants mean any direct encounter or credible sighting should be treated as a police matter. Do not attempt to identify, follow or confront a wanted person. Preserve relevant details—such as location, direction of travel, vehicle information and time—and provide them to 911 or the investigating agency.

About This Report

This safety alert was generated by aggregating data from local authorities, community reports, and open-source intelligence. Our mission at Crime Canada is to provide citizens with localized safety data and context. We are not the original creators of the underlying news reports.

Primary Source: Information in this report was initially covered by Natasha O’Neill for CityNews Ottawa.

Additional Research & Context

• Ontario Provincial Police news and public-information resources provide official channels for Ontario investigation updates and wanted-person notices.
• RCMP British Columbia public-information resources provide context on policing communications in the province where one suspect was believed to have connections.
• Statistics Canada police-reported crime tables provide broader context for interpreting local and national crime trends.