Brandon Giffen denied bail

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Brandon Giffen, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kristian Ayoungman, has been denied bail.

Christian William White – better known within the Strathmore and Siksika communities as Kristian Ayoungman – was found with a fatal gunshot wound by RCMP on the morning of March 17, 2019 in a vehicle south of Strathmore. 

Ayoungman was a well-known and popular former hockey player with the Wheatland Kings in Strathmore. The 24-year-old grew up playing hockey in the Siksika and Strathmore communities.

Brandon Daniel Giffen (26) and his brother Kody Giffen (23), both of Strathmore, were charged with first degree murder.

On Dec. 8, Calgary judge Sherry Kachur denied an application for bail for Brandon Giffen, ruling he will remain in jail until his trial, scheduled for June 2021. Kachur imposed a publication ban of submissions and evidence related to the hearing.

On Aug. 13, 2020, Kody Giffen pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. He will be sentenced in 2021.