A suspect in the death of a man whose remains were found in Saskatchewan five weeks after he disappeared has made his first court appearance.
Brandon Smith, 33, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder.
He appeared by phone from a police cellblock when his case was discussed Thursday in Prince Albert provincial court.
Dylan Chretien, who was 30, was last seen in Prince Albert on Oct. 27, 2019, and his remains were discovered just outside the city on Dec. 4.
The relationship — if any — between the accused and the victim is not clear.
Chretien’s mother said in a past interview that she had learned her son, who lived in Lloydminster on the Saskatchewan-Alberta boundary, drove a friend to Prince Albert before he vanished.
Chretien’s abandoned truck was found near the city five days after his remains were found.
Brenda Chretien said news of an arrest in her son’s case has relieved her.
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“I’m glad that there is some progress with the arrest of someone,” she said. “But this is a long process and unfortunately can take years to settle.”
She said she is frustrated she cannot personally attend court hearings due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Smith, who was living in Prince Albert when he was arrested, has a number of other outstanding charges. He was on remand at the time of his arrest.
Provincial court Judge Steven Schiefner did not discuss details of the other charges Thursday, but said they date back to last October.
Smith was to be transferred to the Prince Albert Correctional Centre. His next court appearance is set for June 23.
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