A London grandmother, Kerry Bailey, has been released from custody after more than a year following the death of 48-year-old Darko Lukic. Bailey, 55, was charged with being an accessory after the fact and granted bail Monday under stringent conditions, marking a significant development in the ongoing case.
Justice Martha Cook ordered Bailey to adhere to strict house arrest, requiring her to remain at all times with her surety. She is prohibited from leaving the residence without the surety’s presence and must wear a GPS ankle monitor, ensuring constant tracking of her location.
The bail was secured with a $1,000 no-deposit commitment from a friend, alongside a comprehensive list of additional restrictions. Details surrounding the evidence presented at the bail hearing remain sealed under a publication ban, shielding sensitive information from public view.
Lukic was discovered critically injured outside an apartment building on Baseline Road in July 2024, ultimately succumbing to his injuries. Police determined he had been assaulted, initiating a complex investigation that spanned several months and multiple provinces.
The circumstances surrounding the immediate aftermath of the assault were particularly disturbing. Witnesses reported seeing Lukic transported in a children’s wagon to a nearby townhouse complex before paramedics arrived on the scene, a haunting image that underscored the tragedy.
Two men, Dauntae Johnson, 20, and Joseph Veneau, 31, face charges of second-degree murder in connection with Lukic’s death. Johnson was apprehended shortly after the incident, while Veneau was located and arrested in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a month later.
Bailey’s daughter, Jamie Lynn Bailey, 31, was also arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact, taken into custody in Saint John, New Brunswick, in September. Currently, Kerry Bailey is the only individual accused in the case who has been granted bail.
The community mourned Lukic’s passing with a candlelight vigil held in the days following his death, a testament to the impact he had on those who knew him. Neighbors remembered him fondly, grappling with the senseless loss.
All those accused are scheduled to appear again in Ontario Court of Justice in February, where the legal proceedings will continue to unfold. The case remains a focal point for the community, seeking answers and justice for Darko Lukic.
