Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Corey Fischer

Foerster To Take Plea Deal

Feb 28, 2018 | 6:09 PM

The family of a murdered teenager says they’re not happy that the killer will be able to take a plea bargain.

Global Okanagan reports Matthew Foerster will be pleading guilty to second degree murder in the death of Taylor Van Diest, the 18 year old killed on Halloween night 2011 in Armstrong.

That will avoid the need for a second trial for Foerster who appealed his 2014 conviction for first degree murder over mistakes made by the trial judge.

Foerster will be in court March 12, where he’s expected to enter a guilty plea.

Taylor’s mother, Marie Van Diest, says the justice system is flawed to allow this to happen.

Go Indoors When The Thunder Roars
Thunderstorm warning issued in the North Okanagan
18h ago
Mid to High 30s
Heat warning issued for the Okanagan
19h ago
Hazy Skies
North Okanagan air quality declined as wildfire smoke settled in the valley
22h ago

She’s been told Foerster’s sentence will include having to serve at least 17 years before parole eligibility, far less than the original 25 year minimum term for first degree murder.

Foerster, originally from Cherryville, was supposed to have started his second trial May 28th in Kelowna.

Photo: Marie Van Diest and family members at news conference in 2011

by Corey Fischer

Other Matters

Driving Violation
West Kelowna driver ticketed after allegedly reading documents while driving Tesla
A West Kelowna driver has been issued violation tickets after police said they were caught reading documents while operating a Tesla on Highway 97.The West Kelowna RCMP Traffic Unit said officers observed a Tesla Model Y travelling southbound on the highway on July 15 while traffic was heavy. Police said the driver was...
17m ago
Read More
Reflecting on last 4 years
'More work to be done': Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas
Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas is reflecting on the last four years in his monthly newsletter as the October municipal election approaches.Dyas says Kelowna has grown by nearly 38 per cent since 2015, bringing more pressure on housing, roads, recreation and city services.He highlights major investments like the Parkinson Recre...
4h ago
Read More
elections 2026
Local business owner seeks council seat
Local business owner, Indy Dhial, will run for city council come the October election.Dhial said he wants to help build a safer, stronger, more connected Kelowna.After 15 years with Shaw Communications, Dhial became Regional Sales Manager. He then went on to become an Early Childhood Educator and founded TGP Kids, wher...
15h ago
Read More
Go Indoors When The Thunder Roars
Thunderstorm warning issued in the North Okanagan
Along with a heat wave, Environment Canada has warned that a storm would roll through the North Okanagan Wednesday afternoon and evening.The weather agency said a severe thunderstorm was being tracked moving into the valley, and that it could bring lightning strikes, heavy rain, gusting winds, and even hail."Damag...
18h ago
Read More
Mid to High 30s
Heat warning issued for the Okanagan
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Vernon, Kelowna and the Okanagan.The weather agency warns the coming days could see highs in the mid to high 30 C range, with overnight lows in the high teens."Humidex values may approach the high 30's on Thursday over the Okanagan Valley and Shuswap as a southerly ...
19h ago
Read More
Hazy Skies
North Okanagan air quality declined as wildfire smoke settled in the valley
The North Okanagan's air quality worsened for a period Wednesday.Air Quality Health Index readings by Environment Canada in Vernon and Armstrong listed the air quality at Level 4, or Moderate Risk, on the morning of July 15.That rating was on the low end of the Moderate Risk scale, and by the afternoon the air quality ...
22h ago
Read More
National Program
West Kelowna joins federal housing design program
The City of West Kelowna has joined a federal program aimed at speeding up home construction through the use of pre-approved housing designs.Federal officials announced Wednesday that West Kelowna is now an official Local Partner in the Housing Design Catalogue, which includes more than 50 low-rise housing plans design...
22h ago
Read More
Cause Under Investigation
Armstrong businesses burned in overnight fire
A fire in Armstrong significantly damaged two businesses and impacted a third overnight.Armstrong Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at a business on Pleasant Valley Boulevard shortly before midnight Tuesday, July 14."The Wild Oak Cafe and the Twisted Purl [Yarn Studio] were highly damaged," Armst...
23h ago
Read More
Bucked Off
Two horseback riders injured in trail rescue
Two horseback riders were taken to hospital Tuesday after being thrown from their horses on trails off June Springs Road near Kelowna.Central Okanagan Search and Rescue said the incident happened around 11 a.m. when the horses were startled by mountain bikers riding downhill on the multi-use trail network.The riders' c...
23h ago
Read More

What Matters

Go Indoors When The Thunder Roars
Thunderstorm warning issued in the North Okanagan
18h ago
Mid to High 30s
Heat warning issued for the Okanagan
19h ago
Hazy Skies
North Okanagan air quality declined as wildfire smoke settled in the valley
22h ago
Cause Under Investigation
Armstrong businesses burned in overnight fire
23h ago
Hospice Society Fundraiser
50/50 raffle launched to support end-of-life care services
Jul 15, 2026