Man charged with second-degree murder in death of Nanaimo woman

A man has been charged with second-degree murder following an eight-month investigation into the death of a 65-year-old Nanaimo woman.

Nanaimo RCMP said 32-year-old Cameron Compton was arrested by members of the Serious Crime Unit on the evening of Monday, July 20th.

Compton has been charged with second-degree murder and indignity to human remains in connection with the death of Sherry Shelley.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, July 21st.

Shelley was reported missing from Nanaimo on the morning of November 14th, 2025.

Police attended several locations connected to her disappearance before locating her deceased later that day.

In an update released the following month, RCMP revealed Shelley had been found after officers responded to a vehicle fire in a wooded area on College Drive near Highway 19.

Investigators subsequently determined her death was a homicide.

The Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit took over the investigation with assistance from the BC Coroners Service.

RCMP said investigators conducted a “meticulous investigation” and submitted a comprehensive report to the BC Prosecution Service, which approved the charges against Compton.

The allegations have not been proven in court.