Nearly two years after the body of Bayli Sellars was found in a burned-out home in Chatham, Ont., police say her father has been charged with first-degree murder in the case.
Since the fire at 149 Edgar St. just before 4 a.m. on June 25, 2022, Chatham-Kent police said multiple agencies have been working together to determine the cause of the fire and the cause of the 22-year-old’s death, including the RCMP, the Ontario fire marshal’s office and the regional coroner’s office.
Earlier this month, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for the arrest of David William Thomas, 48. He was arrested last Friday in Fanny Bay, B.C., and has since been transported back to Chatham-Kent.
On Tuesday, he was formally charged with first-degree murder, five counts of arson with disregard for human life, indignity to a body and arson for fraudulent purpose.
While no one else was injured in the fire, a police spokesperson told Global News that the five counts of arson with disregard for human life is informed by “where it took place and how many people were in immediate danger.”
Under the Criminal Code, arson for fraudulent purpose is defined as someone causing damage by fire or explosion to property “with intent to defraud any other person.”
Sellars loved bowling, soccer and rugby and loved taking pictures and being in pictures, an obituary reads.
“Her smile and the beautiful but most often goofy poses will be memories that we will hold on to. Mom best liked the grinch face.”