Ont. man accused of murder charges pleads guilty to separate charge while out on bail in 2023

Brendon Blanchard pictured in this undated photo. (Facebook)

A Tottenham, Ont. man facing charges of second-degree murder and committing an indignity to a dead body following the disappearance of an Alliston man in 2023, has pleaded guilty to failing to comply with conditions of his release from jail.

Brendon Blanchard, 25, appeared in a Barrie courtroom on Wednesday morning to plead guilty for failing to call the Salvation Army Bail Program while released from custody on charges in April 2023.

Blanchard told the court he was unable to call the bail supervision program between June 15 and 22, 2023 because he was battling a severe addiction to crack cocaine and did not have access to a cell phone.

• RELATED: Police seek tips in mysterious disappearance of Alliston man

Derek Perry, 34, was reported missing around that time, according to Ontario Provincial Police investigators who charged Blanchard and John, also known as Eddy Gagnon, 31, in July 2025 with Perry’s murder. Police have not revealed whether the remains of the missing man have been recovered.

• RELATED: OPP deems Alliston man’s 2023 disappearance a homicide, 2 people arrested
• RELATED: Alliston man accused of murder in 2023 disappearance of Derek Perry

Krystal Carleton, 36, of Alliston, was released from jail Tuesday afternoon following a bail review and consent from the Crown. Carleton is charged with committing indignity to a dead body and accessory after-the-fact to murder. Court documents obtained by CTV News reveal police allege Carleton helped Blanchard and Gagnon escape between April 16 and 20, 2023. Carleton was released on strict house arrest and GPS ankle monitor conditions along with a $50,000 pledge by loved ones who will be serving as her sureties ahead of trial.

• RELATED: Alliston woman accused of accessory after the fact to murder granted $50k bail

The Barrie judge, who accepted Blanchard’s plea, described his criminal record as “very significant” with several breaches of release orders. After accepting the joint sentencing submission by the Crown and defence lawyer Peter Kott, the judge sentenced Blanchard to 10 days in jail. He remains behind bars on the murder charge. Blanchard, Carleton and Gagnon are scheduled to return court in August for a preliminary hearing.

The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.