MacGregor man charged with murdering 96-year-old

WINNIPEG – Jason Conway, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Niels “Arne” Nielsen, 96, in MacGregor, Man.

Nielsen’s death was reported to police on May 25. Police released little information about the homicide and ask anyone who might have information about Nielsen’s death to call Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

An obituary on the Clarke’s Funeral Home website says he born in 1917 in Labinj, Denmark, and came to Canada in 1948, moving to Manitoba in 1977 and MacGregor in 2006.

He was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and loved animals, the obituary says.

“Arne was a meek, quiet, mild-natured man who loved the simple things in life,” it says.

He also enjoyed his garden at his home at 13 Talbot St. E., across the street from MacGregor Collegiate, and RCMP said he spent much of his time in his yard.