The most expensive investigation in the history of Oak Bay police is nearing closure.

The suspect in the killing of 21-year-old Terry McLean is currently being tried for second-degree murder in Vancouver.

McLean was found beaten to death on Feb. 1, 2004 in a Humber Road home he shared with four other young adults.

Costs for the lengthy investigation are lower than anticipated. Last year, the Oak Bay police board asked for an extra $200,000 in its 2008 budget to help cover police and court costs expected to reach $1.5 million. But Oak Bay’s chief administrator said the municipality only spent $28,000 this year on the case currently being heard in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.

“There will be more costs to come in,” Bill Cochrane said, “but, if there aren’t any appeals or anything, it might come in at $1.35 million at the end of the day.”

Last year, Oak Bay’s police chief Ron Gaudet told the News that up to 20 officers had been on the case at one time. Undercover work and wiretapping are expensive, he said.

The McLean homicide, the first murder in Oak Bay since 1974, is the largest and most complex case the municipality has experienced in 50 years, Gaudet said recently. Police initially arrested two suspects, Christopher Biros and William Aaron Sproule, in April 2005 in connection with the homicide. Last year, Biros was sentenced to four years in prison for break-and-enter and attempted robbery. Sproule was later sentenced to

2 1/2 years in prison for break and enter.

A third man was arrested in April 2007 in connection with McLean’s killing.

Ricky Sihota appeared in court on Nov. 25 and 26 to stand trial for second degree murder. The trial was scheduled to resume on Dec. 23.

kschoenit@oakbaynews.com