SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN — It appears Taylor Morgan Japp is going to stand trial in the death of Oxbow’s Briana Hayes.
A five-day preliminary hearing was held in Carlyle Provincial Court earlier this month to determine whether there was enough evidence for Japp to stand trial in Hayes’ death. A publication ban is in place for details on the hearing.
Japp’s matter has been adjourned to a Court of King’s Bench pretrial session June 17. A trial date has not been set.
The co-accused in the matter, Tyler Neil Shaw of Gainsborough, was back in Estevan Provincial Court on June 9. He is charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact. His matter was adjourned to July 7, again in Estevan.
Background: On April 24, 2024, the Carlyle RCMP received a report of a possible homicide. The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit took control of the investigation. Hayes’ body was found April 25 in a rural location in the RM of Moose Mountain.
Shaw was arrested and charged the same day, while the second-degree murder charge against Japp was announced on April 26. Japp was released from custody in July 2024.
Shaw was out on conditions in connection with Hayes’ death when he was arrested in late March 2025 for driving while over .08 and impaired driving. He was also charged with multiple counts of violating the conditions of his release order.
Shaw had a show-cause hearing April 23 in Regina Provincial Court. Bail was approved and he was released from custody with conditions.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
SaskToday will have more updates as they become available.
