Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 18/02) - Police have concluded a three-month investigation into the death of a disabled hotel night clerk last fall.

On Wednesday, they laid charges of second-degree murder against two Inuvik residents, Ronald Frank Sayers, 22, and Shelly Marie Elanik, 18. They were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in a Yellowknife courtroom on Jan. 29.

Keith Blair, 46, was killed while working at the Mackenzie Hotel Oct. 17. A cause of death has never been released.

This week's charges appear to be connected to new evidence found in the brush near the Inuvik Ski Club. Eight officers were combing through the wooded area all Tuesday and Wednesday, sifting through the soil with rakes and a metal detector.