Arrest made in 2015 beating death on Manitoba First Nation

A 37-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a woman on a Manitoba First Nation more than two years ago.

Crystal Andrews, who was 22 and went by Krystal to friends and family, was found dead on God’s Lake Narrows First Nation in November 2015.

RELATED: Community mourns the loss of a young mother in God’s Lake, Manitoba

RCMP said Andrews had been at a Halloween party with friends at the local community club. She headed home in the early morning hours Nov. 8 but never arrived.  Her body was found on a trail in a wooded area — she had been beaten to death.

Officials said she died as a result of injuries received in a serious assault.

Michael William Okemow, who is from God’s Lake Narrows, has been charged with second degree murder and is in police custody.

DNA samples were collected in the community to help narrow down the suspects.

RCMP said Thursday they hope the arrest brings comfort to the community.

“Charging the man who killed Crystal won’t bring her back,” Chief Supt. of Manitoba RCMP Mark Fisher said.

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“But it is one way we can honour her memory. She has not been forgotten. She will never be forgotten. I hope her family and her community can rest a bit easier now that the man responsible has been held to account.”

God’s Lake Narrows First Nation Chief Gilbert Andrews said the community was frustrated at the length of time it took officials to charge the suspect.

Andrews said the man charged was the last person known to have been with the victim before she died, adding the community “made up their mind” about what happened and who was responsible back in 2015.