The Life and Controversial Death of Hells Angel Chad Wilson

Chad Wilson, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels, lived a life shrouded in the complexities of organized crime and biker culture. His journey through various chapters of the notorious motorcycle club and his alleged involvement in illicit activities have made him a figure of interest and controversy.

A gathering of Hells Angels members.

Early Life and Hells Angels Membership

Wilson, 43, was a former member of the Haney Chapter of the Hells Angels and had joined the biker club’s newest one, the Hardside Chapter. He was a well-established member of an organized crime group. While a member of the San Diego “Dago” chapter of the Hells Angels in 2006, he injured several members of the Outlaws in a shootout in South Dakota. After deliberating over three days, jurors in Sioux Falls on Nov. 20 found Chad Wilson, 33, of San Diego and John Midmore, 35, of Valparaiso, Ind., not guilty of sparking an Aug.

Legal Troubles and Deportation

Wilson, a Canadian citizen now facing deportation, was indicted days after the acquittal on a federal charge of being a nonimmigrant alien in possession of a firearm and was transferred to Rapid City. The crime carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. Wilson is scheduled to plead guilty Wednesday in Rapid City federal court to the gun charge. Once released from jail, Wilson returned to B.C. and joined the Haney Hells Angels chapter.

Allegations of Drug Smuggling

He was convicted in Spain several years ago of importing a tonne of cocaine into the country. Spanish police allege the men were involved in smuggling 500 kilograms of cocaine into the country. A statement from Spanish police said the investigation began after authorities were tipped off about a group of Canadian Hells Angels who were planning to ship cocaine from Columbia to Spain by sailboat. In October 2022, Jason Cyrus Arkinstall was denied parole. Parole board members Ian Mackenzie and David Hunt noted Arkinstall remains a member of the Hells Angels, referred only generically in the ruling as an OMG.

Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris

The Ucluelet Investigation

Postmedia has learned that Hells Angel Chad Wilson - a friend of the person behind the cocaine shipment - was tasked with taking care of “the problem” in Ucluelet. Wilson, who was murdered last November, was on Vancouver Island at the time that Archbald and Daley went missing, sources confirmed. Postmedia has learned that the pair agreed to sail from Panama to Canada with a load of cocaine, believed to total several hundred kilograms. The person behind the smuggling operation is a full-patch Hells Angel, the sources said.

Mourners at Chad Wilson's funeral.

Death and Funeral

The Unsolved Death of Chad Wilson

Last month, the body of Chad John Wilson, a full-patch member of the Hells Angel, was found face-down under the Golden Ears Bridge. Ridge Meadows RCMP said they are working with homicide investigators after a body was found Sunday, face-down under the Golden Ears Bridge. Hundreds of bikers attended a funeral for a Hells Angel member at Maple Ridge Alliance Church on Saturday. RCMP and Vancouver Police also attended the funeral at the church on 203rd Street in west Maple Ridge, where hundreds of motorbikes lined the parking lot. More than 300 mourners packed a Maple Ridge church Saturday to remember slain Hells Angel Chad Wilson. Wilson was found murdered under the Golden Ears bridge November 18, 2018. The Integrated Homicide Team has not disclosed a motive for Wilson’s death beyond a link to his membership in a criminal organization.

Some members of the notorious biker gang and their support clubs arrived on Harleys - many of which had temporary one-day insurance to attend the service at the Maple Ridge Alliance Church on Dewdney Trunk Road. After the funeral, the bikers rode over the same bridge under which Wilson was found dead to attend a wake at the Hardside’s Surrey clubhouse. Again police followed to keep watch.

Attendees at Chad Wilson's Funeral

GroupLocation
Hells AngelsAlberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, P.E.I., New Brunswick
Throttle LockersOkanagan
Devil’s ArmyCampbell River
Langford SavagesLangford
Teamsters’ Horsemen
Shadow ClubSurrey
Jesters
Veterans MC
Street ReapersFort Langley
Lynchmen
Dirty Bikers

Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves

Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence

Popular articles:

tags: #Chad