Chilliwack man charged with murdering wife appears in court Tuesday facing 15 other violent charges
Victim Kitty Hayward, 52, endured years of alleged intimate partner violence from Kristopher John Hayward, 55
November 10, 2026
There were tears in courtroom 204 Tuesday morning as supporters of Chilliwack’s latest homicide victim attended to witness the first appearance of the man accused of her murder.
Kristopher John Hayward, 55, appeared only briefly via a video link from the Surrey Pretrial Centre as his lawyer Chris Terepocki and Crown counsel Cindy Trarup discussed his multiple active criminal files, the latest being one count of second-degree murder from an alleged incident in a home on Mellard Avenue on Friday (Nov. 6, 2026).
Hayward is accused of killing his wife, Kitty Hayward, 52, who was remembered fondly and openly on social media on Tuesday.
“Kitty was courageous,” according to one post. “Earlier this year, she began studying to become a social worker, driven by her desire to help people escape abusive relationships and to support families in need.”
While Kristopher Hayward now faces this murder charge, he already had four other open files addressing criminal accusations of violence. The oldest two files from early 2025 are charges of uttering threats, mischief under $5,000, and multiple charges of assault in Chilliwack and Abbotsford. In the Chilliwack file, he also is charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, assaulting a peace officer and wilfully resisting arrest.
Hayward also faces one charge of wilfully resisting arrest in Chilliwack from summer 2025. More recently, he is charged with two counts of uttering threats and wilfully resisting arrest from an alleged incident in Chilliwack in February 2026.
There is sure to be many questions asked how this murder could have happened given the numerous reports of domestic abuse against Kitty Hayward.
Chilliwack RCMP attended a residence on Mellard Avenue in Chilliwack shortly after 8 p.m. on Nov. 6. Upon arrival, officers found the victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) assumed conduct of the investigation and, in partnership with Chilliwack RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service, worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the woman, according to a new release issued on Monday.
On Saturday, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of second-degree murder against 55-year-old Kristopher John Hayward.
“We are saddened by this tragedy,” said Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT in the release. “While charges have now been laid, there is still much work to be done as we continue to support the victim’s grieving family and move forward with the prosecution process.
There were approximately 20 people in courtroom 204 in Chilliwack Tuesday morning in support of the victim.
Hayward remains in custody and is next scheduled for Dec. 8, possibly for a bail hearing but that is unlikely to be held that soon.
-30-
Want to support independent journalism?
Consider becoming a paid subscriber or make a one-time donation so I can continue this work.
Paul J. Henderson
pauljhenderson@gmail.com
facebook.com/PaulJHendersonJournalist
instagram.com/wordsarehard_pjh
x.com/PeeJayAitch
wordsarehard-pjh.bsky.social