Kelowna Man Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder in Dating App Tragedy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has delivered a guilty verdict in a disturbing murder case that began with an online dating connection. Brandon Davina, a 38-year-old Kelowna resident, has been convicted of second-degree murder for the brutal killing of 27-year-old Brianna Jankauskas during a summer encounter in 2023.
Court Rejects Intoxication and Provocation Defenses
In her detailed ruling, Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick systematically dismantled the defense arguments presented during the trial. Davina's legal team had contended that their client was too intoxicated to form the necessary intent for murder and claimed he was provoked when Jankauskas allegedly "called him names." The court found both arguments insufficient to justify or excuse the violent actions that led to Jankauskas's death.
The judge emphasized that voluntary intoxication does not negate criminal responsibility for such a grave offense, particularly when the evidence clearly demonstrated deliberate actions. This ruling reinforces established legal principles regarding intoxication defenses in serious criminal cases.
A Fatal Evening That Began on Dating Platform
The tragic sequence of events unfolded after Davina and Jankauskas connected through an online dating service. They arranged to meet at Davina's residence on August 20, 2023, where Jankauskas ultimately spent the night. Throughout the evening, she maintained text communication with two friends, providing a chilling real-time account of her deteriorating situation.
Text messages presented as evidence revealed Jankauskas's growing fear and distress. Just before 9 p.m., she texted: "He's a drunk and he scares me." Moments later, she added: "He holds me down and hurts me and I tell him to stop he stops I'm like shaking right now if I could leave now I would but its dark and no one can drive."
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The situation escalated dramatically when Davina called the B.C. Ambulance Service at approximately 9:30 p.m., stating cryptically that "There's someone on my couch that got in an altercation and ... they are dying on my couch right now" before abruptly hanging up. Emergency services traced the call to Davina's address, where RCMP officers discovered Jankauskas in critical condition on a couch.
Davina had already fled the scene by the time authorities arrived. Jankauskas succumbed to her injuries later that night, having suffered multiple blunt force trauma wounds to her head. Medical evidence confirmed she had been struck repeatedly with a heavy 18-inch crescent wrench, which Davina admitted to using during the attack.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
During the trial, Davina acknowledged striking Jankauskas with the wrench and causing her death, but his defense argued the Crown had failed to prove the specific intent required for a second-degree murder conviction. Justice Fitzpatrick's comprehensive ruling addressed each element of the defense's position before concluding that the evidence overwhelmingly supported a guilty verdict.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about personal safety in the digital dating landscape, where initial online connections can lead to vulnerable in-person situations. Davina now awaits sentencing, which will determine the length of his incarceration for this violent crime that has left a family grieving and a community grappling with questions about violence prevention and dating safety protocols.
