Calgary pastor Daniel Nel charged with murder of 3-month-old son

Police have charged a Calgary pastor in connection to the death of his three-month-old son back in 2015.

Cyrus Nel was found in medical distress in his family’s home in the 600 block of Taradale Drive N.E. at around 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31.

Emergency crews rushed the boy to hospital but he died a day later.

In a Friday news conference, Insp. Don Coleman said the child’s father, 31-year-old Daniel Nel, had been charged with second-degree murder following a lengthy investigation involving consultation with a number of pediatric specialists.

“In consultation with the Crown, we believe the threshold for second-degree murder has been met,” Coleman said.

Coleman said the evidence police had “didn’t support” a charge of first-degree murder.

WATCH RAW: Insp. Don Coleman speaks about Daniel Nel, who was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his three-month-old boy.

6:30 RAW: Insp. Don Coleman speaks about charges laid against Daniel Nel

Nel worked as a pastor at the Rockyview Alliance Church, but was put on administrative leave after police announced in April they were treating Cyrus’ death as a homicide and the church district learned Nel had been brought in by police for questioning.

Western Canadian District (Alberta) of the Christian and Missionary Alliance spokesperson Doug Balzer said Nel’s licence to act as a minister was suspended as of Friday.

“On Friday, May 12, we learned that Dan had been charged with second-degree murder,” Balzer said in a statement.

“Because of this development and the gravity of the charge, Dan will no longer be able to perform ministry duties for the foreseeable future and therefore on May 12 we suspended his licence to act as a minister. We remain in prayer for all involved in this situation.”

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Coleman said Cyrus was Nel’s only child.

He said Nel’s friends and family – including his wife, Cyrus’ mother – had shown “various degrees” of participation and cooperation in the investigation.

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Nel wasn’t known to police prior to the death of his son, Coleman said, adding police are not seeking any additional suspect’s in Cyrus’ death.

Nel is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, May 24.

With files from Erika Tucker