2 women charged after fatal fire in Amherst

Two women are facing charges after an overnight fire in Amherst, N.S., left one person dead.

The Amherst Police Department says a 26-year-old man from Moncton died in the fire on East Pleasant Street, which was reported at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police say the man was not a resident of the home and the homeowners were not at home at the time of the incident.

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Family have identified the victim as Stephen Nagle. He was the father of Marissa Shephard’s young son and had been charged with being an accessory after the fact into the murder of Baylee Wylie. Shephard is currently awaiting a new trial after winning an appeal following her murder conviction.

The investigation into the man’s death and the cause of the fire remain under investigation.

25-year-old Bryanna Ackles, of Amherst, and 30-year-old Krystal Robertson, of Moncton appeared in Amherst provincial court Monday to face charges relating to the weekend fire.

Both have been charged with break and enter, possession of break and enter tools, and recklessly causing damage by fire.

Ackles has been charged with dangerous driving, resisting arrest and breach of a recognizance.

Both Ackles and Robertson remain in custody after the Crown prosecutor objected to their release. Both women are scheduled to appear again in court January 2, 2020 for a bail hearing.