Yellowknife (Apr 21/04) - A Yellowknife man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a 33-year-old man early Friday morning about 30 kilometres outside of the city.

Timothee Charles Caisse, 55, was arrested and charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm after police discovered the body of David Austin in a small, wooden house just off Highway 3 at about 2 a.m. April 16.

Police say a firearm was involved in the death, but won't confirm whether or not Austin had been shot.

While police declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding Austin's death, a man who lives near the crime scene, and refused to be identified, said a man walked into his house early Friday morning.

Police say they took a suspect into custody at a nearby residence, but couldn't confirm whether or not it was the neighbour's house.

A woman and a man were also were taken into custody Friday for questioning, but were released without charge. RCMP Const. Kerri Riehl said they are not considered suspects.

Caisse, who used to work at Giant Mine, lived in Yellowknife as recently as January 2003 with his wife and her elderly father.

According to an article that appeared in News/North that year, Caisse is a 32-year veteran of the mining industry and was on long-term disability.

Caisse made a brief appearance in territorial court Tuesday morning and was remanded into police custody pending his next court date.