WATCH ABOVE: A man who had been renting a room at Genevieve Auger’s home now faces charges of first degree murder and arson. Kendra Slugoski has the latest.
EDMONTON – Juan Rolan Checkel, 24, is facing several charges including first-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Genevieve Auger.
Auger’s body was found after a fire ripped through a home in the area of 173 Street and 77 Avenue on October 1.
“This was a difficult scene to investigate,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Brad Mandrusiak with the Edmonton Police Service’s homicide section.
“The fire made it dangerous for investigators so precautions had to be taken prior to police searching the scene.”
After collecting substantial evidence, Edmonton police arrested Checkel, who was a tenant in the home. The suspect taken into custody early in the morning on Thursday, October 2 at the Century Park LRT parking lot.
Checkel was charged on October 3 with first-degree murder, possession of an offensive weapon and arson to property (disregard for human life).
A medical examiner determined Auger died from being beaten and stabbed to death.
On October 2, police confirmed Auger’s death was a homicide. The following day detectives said one male suspect was in custody.
Watch below: The death of a 32-year-old woman found inside a burning home is now a homicide investigation. Shallima Maharaj reports.
Checkel’s next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8.
Police do not believe there are any other suspects, but are asking the public to report any background information they have about Checkel to police.
Shortly after her death, condolences began pouring in for Auger.
“I’m going to miss you, you were such a wonderful person, Rest In Paradise,” said one friend on Facebook.
Another post read, in part, “You were such a beautiful person and you made such a positive impact on so many people’s life. A part of me feels it’s unfair… We are sending you all the love you can take with you for your next adventure. Gen R.I.P. Rest in Paradise.”
A third simply said, “Love and light my friend. Love and light.”
Auger, born in Slave Lake, was a real estate investor, according to several online profiles.
They state that she graduated from Strathcona Composite High School in 2000, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 2005. They say she worked in the oil and gas industry for four years.
It appears she made the transition into real estate in 2011.
“She developed a keen sense of understanding just how easily credit can be lost as she went through spinal cord surgery. From there, she became determined to help others get back on their feet and into owning through rent-to-owns,” her profile said.
Neighbour Debbie Deboer said on Wednesday that the woman who lived in the bungalow was in her mid-30s and had multiple sclerosis, but was still able to get around. Deboer said they would wave and say hi on the street, but didn’t know her neighbour’s name.
“She was a pleasant little girl, very tiny. Quite badly crippled – she was disabled,” said Deboer’s mother Myra Mousseau, who has lived in the area for over 20 years and often watches the goings-on of the neighbourhood from her front window.
Mousseau was impressed with the woman’s efforts to be independent.
“She’d go around those trees and everything, mow those lawns, shovel that sidewalk and great big patio, always. Yeah, she was a fighter all right.”
“I’ve seen her with friends, laughing and carrying on. It’s so sad that she’s gone. It’s not fair,” Mousseau said.
“If it is her, I just pray that she didn’t struggle and that she went quickly and quietly,” said Deboer.
She believes part of the home may have been rented out to two men. Neighbours say one of them arrived home from work as the fire started, and the other showed up later in the morning, also after finishing work.
This is Edmonton’s 19th homicide of the year.
*Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Thursday, October 2, 2014. It was updated at 3:53 MT Friday to include information about pending charges. It was updated Monday, October 6 to include the name of the person charged and the list of charges.
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