General News

Brothers-in-law take manslaughter plea deal in killing of Alliston man

November 5, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Two Alliston men have pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the April 2023 killing of Derek Perry of Alliston.

Perry was 34 years old when he was reported missing in June of 2023.

Nottawasaga OPP sought help from the public in determining his whereabouts at the time and had information leading them to believe there was concern for his well-being.

In July, 2025, police arrested and charged Brendon Blanchard, 26, and John ‘Eddy’ Gagnon, 32, with murder related charges. The two men are brothers-in-law.

They also arrested and charged Krystal Carleton, 37, with being an accessory after the fact to murder as well as committing indignity to a dead body.

Carleton was released on $50,000 bail and strict conditions in Feb. 2026, after spending six months in jail.

Perry’s remains are believed to have been taken to an area near Kirkland Lake but have not been recovered.

According to an Agreed Statement of Facts, the court heard that Carleton was driving Perry, Blanchard and Gagnon to a party on April 16, 2023, when a fight broke out in the backseat of her SUV.

Blanchard and Gagnon admitted to being heavily intoxicated by alcohol and drugs at the time they both beat Perry. The attack on Perry lasted for around 15 minutes.

Gagnon and Blanchard admitted to stopping at a friend’s home to clean themselves up after the beating.

Lawyers for Gagnon and Blanchard said they both expressed remorse for their actions, and both men had tragic upbringings leading to years of drug abuse.

Perry had been struggling with homelessness at the time of his death.

In court, a judge was presented with a joint submission by the crown and defence, seeking a sentence of eight years less time served, after the court accepted a plea of guilty to manslaughter.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December. 

Readers Comments (0)