Suspect in Edmonton murder may have assumed a new identity

WATCH ABOVE: Edmonton police have a warning for Canadians from coast to coast – that a man whom you might have met in a lounge, hired or allowed to stay over – is wanted for second-degree murder. Laurel Gregory reports.

EDMONTON – Homicide detectives are concerned a man charged with second-degree murder in the death of Demetrios Karahalios may have assumed a new identity.

Karahalios, 48, was found dead inside an Oliver area home on March 8, 2014. An autopsy has been completed but – because the investigation is still taking place – the cause of death has not been released.

Richard Joseph Lacarte, 47, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree murder in connection with the death.

EPS homicide investigators are concerned about what might have happened since Karahalios’ murder.

“Our concern is that Mr. Lacarte has assumed a new identity and might have been taken in by someone who is unaware that he is wanted for murder,” said Det. John Tedeschini.

“For this reason, we are appealing to the public, Canada-wide, to take a hard look at whom they may be letting stay or ‘couch surf’ at their residence. We are also requesting homeless shelters, and social agencies that may have come across Mr. Lacarte to provide information on his whereabouts.”

Police say Lacarte, who was known to Karahalios, led a “drifter lifestyle” and has been known to work in the roofing industry from time to time to support himself.

He is described as a Caucasian male, 5’9” tall and 150 pounds. He has blue eyes and grey hair and is missing some teeth. Lacarte has tattoos that include Harley Davidson wings on his left bicep, a skull and crossbones and a tiger.

Karahalios – who was better known by those close to him as ‘Coco’ and ‘Jimmy’ – was a pillar of the gay community. 

“The local LGBTQ community and the Edmonton Police Service Sexual Minorities Liaison Committee have been extremely helpful since the outset of this investigation,” said Tedeschini.

“They would like to actively encourage community members who visit LGBTQ community bars, nightclubs, and establishments to be on the lookout for Lacarte. He is known to frequent these locations to play pool and sing karaoke.”

If the accused is located, contact police. Tips can be submitted by contacting EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

The family of Karahalios is appealing to the public for help finding the man charged in his death.

“This will never be over for our family,” said Tonia Karahalios on Tuesday. “A deep hole has been left in our hearts forever, but we need to find this individual and bring closure to our brother’s death.”

“Our brother Demetrios was a caring, thoughtful and generous human being, who was taken from us far too soon,” she said.

“He was an important and much loved member of our family and we miss him terribly.”