A man accused in a brutal death is back in custody, accused of violating the terms of his release. Mathew Drumond, 39, of London, was previously granted bail while facing manslaughter charges in the 2019 death of Jason Brown.
Jason Brown, 43, of Kitchener, vanished after being abducted from a cemetery in Harriston. His body was discovered days later, nearly 200 kilometers away on a roadside in Oshawa, launching a complex and harrowing investigation.
Police allege a connection between Brown and the Outlaws motorcycle club, identifying Drumond as a full-patch member and Brown as a former prospect. The Outlaws, a notorious organization with a long history, maintain chapters across Canada.
Initial charges against Drumond were first-degree murder, alongside a woman from North Perth. However, the charge was later reduced to manslaughter, leading to his release on bail in December. A key condition of his release was to sever all contact with anyone associated with the Outlaws.
That condition, authorities now claim, was broken. London police arrested Drumond on April 7, laying ten charges of failing to comply with his release order. Court records indicate he allegedly communicated with individuals linked to the club.
A judge denied Drumond bail this week, placing the burden on the defense to demonstrate why he shouldn’t remain detained. Details presented during the hearing remain sealed under a publication ban, shrouding the specifics in secrecy.
The news brought a measure of relief to Brown’s sister, Tara, who followed the hearing remotely. “He’s not happy and that makes us happy,” she stated, expressing a small victory in a long and agonizing ordeal.
Despite the arrest, the pain of Brown’s loss remains raw for the family, seven years after his death. Tara spoke of a life irrevocably altered, a void that can never be filled, and the devastating impact on Brown’s children.
Details emerging from related court cases paint a grim picture of the events leading to Brown’s death. He reportedly struggled with a significant drug habit and was subjected to a violent assault with a baseball bat.
Evidence suggests Brown was bound with duct tape, forced into a vehicle, and ultimately died either within the vehicle or at the Outlaws’ Toronto clubhouse. The scene speaks to a calculated and brutal act of violence.
Several others have already pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Jessica Martin admitted to destroying evidence, including Brown’s cellphone and blood-stained clothing. Joshua Drumond, Mathew’s brother, received an eight-year sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Further legal proceedings are scheduled for Mathew Drumond, with a trial confirmation hearing set for April 29 in Guelph. The case continues to unfold, promising further revelations about the events surrounding Jason Brown’s tragic death.
