Fort Simpson homicide arrest
No charge immediately laid against person picked up by police in connection with Billy Cholo's death
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Monday, April 10, 2017
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Police arrested a person April 6 in connection with the homicide of Billy Cholo in Fort Simpson, according to an RCMP news release.
Billy Cholo, 45, of Fort Simpson was found dead in a gazebo near the village health centre in January 2014. His death was deemed a homicide. - photo courtesy of Edward Cholo |
However, no charges had been laid against the person, who was not named by police, as of press time April 7, Mounties later told News/North.
The 45-year-old Cholo was found dead in a gazebo near the community's health centre on Jan. 9, 2014 after a search in the community.
Cholo had gone missing in December and police state it's believed he was last seen around Christmastime 2013.
It was unclear if the person is considered a suspect.
RCMP Const. Matt Halstead said the person was released but wouldn't say whether the person arrested is a suspect.
Cholo's uncle, Edward Cholo, said RCMP told him about the arrest but said he didn't want to comment while the investigation continues.
"They're still working on it so I can't say anything," he said April 7.
Police believe there are still people who have yet to come forward with "crucial information" about what happened to Cholo, according to the news release.
Cholo's death was deemed a homicide after an autopsy of his body.
The arrest is the first public update about the case by police since NWT Senator Nick Sibbeston raised concerns last year at the Dene National Assembly that RCMP had not followed up on a tip. Sibbeston said he knew the name of a man who had threatened to kill Cholo shortly before his death.
