B.C. Judge Affirms Public Interest in Unsolved Spiritual Group Murder Case
A British Columbia Supreme Court justice has delivered a landmark ruling affirming the right of journalists to conduct "passionate" scrutiny into the unsolved murder of a Chinese spiritual organization employee, declaring the case a matter of significant public importance. The decision echoes a similar ruling this month in Ontario where a judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit against reporters investigating Chinese interference.
The Bizarre and Brutal Killing of Bo Fan
The case centers on the brutal death of Bo Fan, a 41-year-old Chinese national and employee of the international spiritual health organization Create Abundance. Fan was found beaten to death in Surrey on June 17, 2020, just blocks from where her organization had recently hosted an event. The murder remains unsolved, with RCMP officials describing it as one of the most "strange" and "bizarre" cases they have encountered, shrouded in mystery despite extensive investigation.
RCMP Sergeant Frank Jang emphasized at the time that Fan's connections to Create Abundance were "huge for us" as investigators urged witnesses to come forward. However, authorities have acknowledged no direct evidence has linked the organization to the violent attack.
Court Backs Journalist Against 'Lawfare' Attempt
In February, B.C. Supreme Court Justice David Layton ruled in favor of independent filmmaker and journalist Ina Mitchell, whose reporting for India's Sunday Guardian newspaper examined not only Fan's murder but also Create Abundance's global operations and its connections to China. Chinese courts have previously referred to the organization as a "pyramid scheme" and "cult."
The judge upheld Mitchell's argument that Create Abundance's lawsuit against her represented a form of "lawfare"—a legal strategy designed to silence critical coverage of matters of considerable public importance. This ruling reinforces protections for journalists investigating complex international cases with potential implications for Canadian society.
Create Abundance's Global Footprint and Controversies
Since 2014, under the leadership of charismatic founder Zhang Xinyue, Create Abundance has shifted much of its operational base from China to British Columbia. The organization maintains properties including a villa in Surrey and the Mineral Springs resort on Salt Spring Island, where media reports have shown clients participating in wilderness survival training while wearing military camouflage and carrying firearms.
Following Fan's murder, the organization—also known as Golden Touch and other names—has reportedly intensified its operations in France, where it charges substantial fees, holds tens of millions in property assets, and aggressively seeks influence in cultural, educational, and fashion circles.
The group's programs primarily attract women with messages combining personal health and wealth creation, though international media outlets including Le Monde, Newsweek, and the South China Morning Post have raised questions about its practices and global expansion.
Broader Implications for Investigative Journalism
This ruling represents a significant victory for investigative journalism in Canada, particularly for reporters examining complex international organizations and potential foreign influence. Mitchell's previous work includes a documentary on Vancouver housing costs titled Millionaire City and the co-authored book The Mosaic Effect, both addressing Chinese interference in Canadian affairs.
The parallel Ontario decision dismissing defamation claims against journalists probing Chinese interference suggests a judicial trend toward protecting journalistic inquiry into matters of national and public significance, even when such reporting faces legal challenges from powerful international entities.
As the investigation into Bo Fan's murder continues without resolution, this court ruling ensures that journalistic scrutiny of the case and the organizations involved will proceed without legal intimidation, upholding the essential role of a free press in democratic society.
