Surrey woman Tori Dunn’s murder trial is set for October 2026, sparking frustration from her family over delays and calls for justice reform.
Trial Date Confirmed in Surrey Murder Case
More than two years after the tragic death of Surrey’s Tori Dunn, a trial date has finally been set. The accused, Adam Mann, will face a second-degree murder trial beginning October 5, 2026—a full 842 days after Dunn’s death.
Dunn, who was just 30 years old, was found with life-threatening injuries inside her Port Kells home on June 16, 2024. She later died in hospital. Mann was charged with second-degree murder less than two weeks later, but the long wait for trial has left her family frustrated and heartbroken.
A Family Waiting for Justice
Tori’s father, Aron Dunn, spoke openly about the pain of waiting so long for answers.
“The wheels of justice turn very slowly, if there is such a thing as justice anymore,” Aron said.
He noted that by the time both the trial and the coroner’s inquest are complete, years will have passed since his daughter’s death.
Trial Timeline and the Jordan Rule
The case will be heard in B.C. Supreme Court from October 5 to October 23, 2026, with jury selection starting October 1.
Under the Jordan principle, Supreme Court trials must wrap up within 30 months of charges being filed. If everything stays on schedule, Mann’s trial will end at 27 months and 26 days—just under the deadline.
Coroner’s Inquest Still to Come
A coroner’s inquest has also been ordered into Tori’s death, but it cannot begin until the trial is finished. The inquest will publicly examine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Aron says he is eager for that process to begin, not only for closure but also to prevent other families from enduring the same ordeal.
Calls for Change After Tragedy
Since Tori’s death, her father has been vocal about the need for reforms to Bill C-48, legislation that came into effect in January 2024.
The bill tightened bail conditions for repeat violent offenders and expanded reverse-onus provisions, meaning those accused of certain violent crimes must prove why they should be released before trial.
Tori’s case has also fueled broader calls for bail reform from political leaders, including Premier David Eby and former opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.
A Long Road Ahead
For now, Tori’s family faces another year of waiting before they see the inside of a courtroom. Aron says he hopes his daughter’s tragic death will not only bring justice but also spark lasting changes to Canada’s justice system.
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