Two men have been charged for allegedly helping Nathan Gervais flee the country before his trial for the death of Lukas Strasser-Hird.
Gervais was arrested in Vietnam two years after he was due to appear in court in April 2016.
“This has been a long-standing investigation,” homicide unit Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm said. “The investigation started soon after Nathan failed to appear and it’s been a matter of gathering information in an incremental basis.”
Due to Gervais’ pending trial for the killing of Strasser-Hird, Chisholm was unable to comment on whether the two men were directly involved in the death.
“They were associates. They were known to one another.”
READ MORE: Accused Calgary killer Nathan Gervais arrested while on the run in Vietnam
Sean Alexander Airey, 27, and Marshall Thomas Quillian, 21, both of Calgary, have been charged with obstruction of justice, forging a passport, making a false statement to procure a passport and being an accessory after the fact to murder.
“Helping somebody fail to appear for a murder trial is incredibly serious so we take that incredibly seriously,” Chisholm said. “It did take a long time, however it is a message to people who want to help individuals evade prosecution that we will do what it takes to lay charges and bring those people to justice.”
Chisholm mentioned Strasser-Hird’s father was “extremely pleased” to hear of the most recent charges.
Airey and Quilllian are due to appear in court on Jan. 14.
The first-degree murder trial for Nathan Gervais will also begin on Jan. 14.