Arrest made in Roger Byer historical murder case

Watch above: family’s pleas for public help in cold case results in arrest

SASKATOON – An arrest has been made in the Roger Byer historical murder case.

RCMP announced Thursday morning Daniel Smith from the Ruthilda district south of Biggar, Sask. was arrested in a rural area near Holdfast on Wednesday morning.

Smith, 57, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Byer.

Police said Byer and Smith knew each other and were considered friends.

Officials said the involvement of the public was essential in bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion.

“If it were not for the various media outlets and the public, we would not have received information from the public which further aided in our investigation, and then ultimately resulted in Smith’s arrest,” said RCMP spokesperson Mandy Maier.

Mounties highlighted the case last week which included new information about a black, heavy duty truck that was in the area at the time of Byer’s disappearance.

Smith is linked to the truck which has now been seized by RCMP and is considered evidence in the case.

Byer was last seen on Jan. 20, 2010 in Melfort where he was servicing an ATM. He was reported missing on Jan. 26, 2010 by his daughter after she hadn’t heard from her father in several days.

He was in possession of tens of thousands of dollars in cash at the time of his disappearance.

Byer’s truck and body were found in a heavily treed area on an abandoned farm site between Yellow Creek and Meskanaw on April 1, 2010 and an autopsy determined his death was a homicide.

Smith appeared in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday morning and has been remanded until his next appearance on May 27 in Melfort provincial court.