A man from 100 Mile House has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Vesna Dumstrey-Soos.
Dumstrey-Soos, who worked at the Cedar Crest Society, was found dead on Wednesday morning in her home in 100 Mile House. Police have not released information about how the 37-year-old died.
Police went to Dumstrey-Soos’s home after her coworkers reported she had not shown up for work, which was out of character for her.
On Wednesday afternoon, a 46-year-old man turned himself in to the RCMP’s North District Crime Unit without incident. North District Cpl. Dave Tyreman said the victim and suspect knew each other but the terms of their relationship is unknown.
Police had put forth first- and second-degree murder charges to the Crown. Late Thursday afternoon, Crown approved a charge of first-degree murder against Michael Martel of 100 Mile House.
Martel was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on January 12.
Vesna’s sister Tania died in 2007 after she was attacked by a Siberian tiger, which was kept at her fiancee’s exotic farm near 100 Mile House.
Contacted by phone, Dumstrey-Soos’ father said “it’s a huge loss again,” and said Vesna would be buried next to her sister.
100 Mile House does not have a court to hear this type of case. The file will be turned over to Williams Lake.
– With files from John Daly