Man charged in stabbing death of popular Vancouver chef

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A man has been charged in the stabbing death of a popular chef.

Vancouver police announced Wednesday that Timothy Isborn, 32, had been charged with one count of second-degree murder.

At around 3:30 a.m. on June 5, Wataru Kakiuchi, a Japanese citizen and a chef at a downtown restaurant , was reportedly waiting for a ride in Chinatown when he was attacked near Main and Union streets.

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Kakiuchi died before he could be taken to hospital.

Following a six-day investigation, police said a suspect was arrested in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside on Monday afternoon.

“We thank everyone in the community for their support while we worked around the clock to collect the evidence that ultimately led to the suspect,” said Sgt. Steve Addison. “Evidence gathered by our investigators, along with information from the public, was integral to us making this arrest.”

Police say Kakiuchi and Isborn didn’t know each other but didn’t elaborate if there had been any interaction leading up to the attack.

According to Addison, Isborn previously lived in Alberta before moving to B.C. He has no criminal history in B.C. and isn’t known to Vancouver police.

According to Yoshihiro Tanabe, who worked with the victim at Hapa Izakaya’s former location in Coal Harbour, Kakiuchi was warm and had a fun personality, and was a guitarist.

“He can make a good mood in the kitchen,” Tanabe told Postmedia News through his wife.

“Nice guy … so fun,” he added, fighting back emotion.

Investigators continue to probe the stabbing and anyone with information is asked to contact homicide police at 604-717-2500.

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