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First-degree murder charge laid in Saskatoon death

Saskatoon police released a surveillance photo of Richard Fernuk leaving St. Pauls Hospital at 3:46 a.m. CT on Aug. 2, 2019. Saskatoon Police Service / Supplied

Saskatoon police have laid a first-degree murder charge in connection with a man’s death on the August long weekend.

Richard Fernuk, 68, was found dead inside his apartment in the 2200-block of St. Charles Avenue on the afternoon of Aug. 3.

An autopsy was completed on Aug. 6 and the death has been determined to be a homicide, police said. His cause of death was not released.

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Major crimes section investigators arrested a 37-year-old Saskatoon man on Aug. 7.

He is also facing charges of robbery and unlawful confinement. The accused was scheduled to appear in Saskatoon provincial court on Aug. 8.

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Fernuk was suffering from chest pains relating to a pre-existing heart condition on the evening of Aug. 1, police said. Following treatment, he left St. Paul’s Hospital at 3:46 a.m. CT on Aug. 2.

Investigators don’t believe Fernuk and the accused were known to each other.

WATCH (July 23, 2019): Breaking down Saskatoon’s crime severity index

Click to play video: 'Breaking down Saskatoon’s crime severity index'
Breaking down Saskatoon’s crime severity index

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