Second degree murder charge laid in death of Ricci Youngchief

A second degree murder charge has been laid against Johnathan Bezanson, a 35-year-old resident of Kehewin Cree Nation, Major Crimes Unit reported on Friday. 

On Thursday, Feb. 13, Bonnyville RCMP were dispatched to a residence located in Kehewin Cree Nation, where a deceased woman had been found outside with suspicious injuries. 

The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit were deployed and took carriage of the investigation into the death of Ricci Youngchief.

Over the course of an extensive investigation, involving assistance from Bonnyville RCMP, St. Paul RCMP and St. Paul RCMP Forensic Identification Services, identified a suspect. 

That same day, Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit arrested Johnathan Bezanson, who was residing in Kehewin Cree Nation at the time. He has been charged with second degree murder. 

He was taken before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded into custody.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Feb. 18,at the Alberta Court of Justice in Bonnyville. 

The autopsy of Ricci Youngchief is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 17, at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton.

Alberta RCMP would like to thank members of the public for their assistance during this investigation, and express our condolences to the Youngchief family as well as the members of the Kehewin Cree Nation.