Suspect Apprehended in Fatal Stabbing of Japanese Chef Near Chinatown

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a Japanese chef in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighborhood one week ago.

Wataru Kakiuchi, a Japanese citizen, was found near Main Street and Union Street shortly before 3:30 a.m. on June 5. He died before he could be taken to the hospital.

Timothy Isborn was apprehended in the Downtown Eastside on Monday afternoon and has been charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Investigators stated that they do not believe Isborn and Kakiuchi knew each other.

Kakiuchi, 32, was a chef and longtime employee of Hapa Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant in Yaletown.

“[He] was a really bright, positive person,” said Justin Ault, the restaurant’s owner. “[He] was the type of person no one could dislike.”