Why It's Unlikely the NRI-Narinder "Ned" Mander Murder Mystery Will Ever Be Solved

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Oct. 13, 2009

Nearly eight years ago, one of the most sensational murders in NRI history took place. Narinder "Ned" Mander of Richmond, BC,Canada, 28, Surrey granite and marble businessman, was kidnaped and murdered on October 9th, 2001. His body has not been found.

Last week, the RCMP said that Mander was completely innocent and used to lure his friend Rick Bhatti to his death. His cell phone records show that, they said. He was "innocent pawn" in friend's murder.

We are here today to talk about the disappearance of 28-year-old Narinder "Ned" Mander of Richmond. Ned was last seen at his Surrey granite and marble business on October 9th, 2001. Tomorrow marks the eighth anniversary of his disappearance. At the time of his disappearance, we told you that Ned Mander had likely met with foul play. Today, we want to tell you that Ned Mander was kidnaped and murdered on October 9th, 2001. His body has not been found.

For the past eight years, we have not received any solid information that would lead us to the location of Ned's remains. There has been much speculation in the media about gang links, however Ned Mander was not involved in drugs or gang activity. We believe Ned was used as a pawn. He was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a bitter rivalry.

It has been a long and painful eight years for Ned's family. They made a decision not to attend today's news conference because they don't want to put themselves through the pain of Ned's death again. This case is personal for me as well. It was my first major case as a junior RCMP media relations officer at Surrey Detachment. It is my wish, and the wish of all the investigators who have worked on this case over the years to see it solved. This case has been taken on by the recently created Surrey Detachment Unsolved Homicide Unit. Today we are providing new details and evidence to the public in the hopes of getting new information and locating the whereabouts of Ned's remains.

On October 9th, 2001, Ned left his Surrey business at 2:45 in the afternoon in the company of two Asian men in a red Dodge minivan. It is now believed that these men lured Ned into the vehicle where they kidnaped him. The purpose of taking Ned was to force him to phone a friend who was in a car with 26-year-old Rick Bhatti in order to lure them to a Surrey Sikh temple. When Bhatti arrived the meeting place, his car was riddled with bullets from multiple firearms. He died at the scene, but the friend escaped unharmed. It was sometime later that evening when we believe Ned was murdered.

After reviewing Ned's cell phone records, we know he made a number of calls including 15 calls to his friend who was in the car with Bhatti. Ned made his last call to the friend before the shooting at 9:21 PM. The friend's car was ambushed 12 minutes later at 9:33 PM where Rick Bhatti was shot dead at the Surrey Sikh Temple on 85th Avenue and 128th Street. A subsequent call was placed from Ned's phone to the friend's phone at 9:36 PM, 3 minutes after the shooting took place, but was never answered. The cell site call records for Ned’s phone indicate that he was transported to numerous locations throughout the Surrey area until the time of the Bhatti murder. These call records indicate that Ned was not present at the scene of the Bhatti murder.

Witnesses at the scene of Bhatti's murder said they saw a red Dodge Caravan fleeing from the scene, and attempted to follow it. An occupant in the van fired a number of shots at the witnesses, disabling their vehicle in the area of 82nd Avenue and 128th Street. Neither of the occupants in the witness' vehicle were injured. We know that the day before the murder, a blue 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager was stolen from Vancouver. This van has never been recovered. It is possible that the
van was used in some capacity for these murders, as the result of a partial licence plate being obtained by a witness. Investigators are seeking the location of this van as is it may provide them with additional leads and avenues of investigation.

Casings and bullets were recovered by investigators from both the scene of the Bhatti homicide, and from where the witnesses were shot at. These items have been forensically examined which has confirmed to investigators that more than one firearm was used during these two shootings.

For eight years, Ned's family has suffered tremendously. Without knowing the whereabouts of Ned's remains, they have been unable to find closure and move on with their lives.

We want to remind the public that soon after Ned's death his family posted a reward of $50,000 for information leading to his whereabouts. The $50,000 reward still stands today for information leading to the recovery of Ned's remains.

This case is still active and on-going. We have credible information that there is someone out there who knows the location of Ned’s remains. To that person, we ask that you help Ned’s family by coming forward with this information. You can remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers at 1 800-222-TIPS 1 800-222-TIPS, or by calling the Surrey RCMP Unsolved Homicide Tip Line at 604-599-7633 604-599-7633.

Narinder "Ned" Mander of Richmond, BC,Canada, 28, Surrey granite and marble business, was kidnaped and murdered on October 9th, 2001. His body has not been found.