Suspect wanted in violent murder of senior, arson at central Edmonton home | globalnews.ca

An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect wanted for murder, arson and tampering with the body of a senior who police said was “violently” murdered at his home in central Edmonton in late 2022 .

Ronald Bell, 70, was found dead in a bungalow on 106th Street, just north of 107th Avenue. Central McDougall The neighborhood on January 1st.

Police were called to a report of a sudden death in the home and arrived to find an extinguished fire with an active water leak.

Police said Bell died on December 27, 2022.

Homicide investigators were contacted due to the nature of Bell’s apparent injuries and the crime scene.

“Based on our visual examination and autopsy, I think it is safe to say that a very violent incident occurred,” EPS Homicide Section Det. Jared Buhler said at a news conference a few days later.

“There was a struggle, some sort of violent altercation.”

An autopsy determined that the manner of death was a homicide but investigative reports continue to withhold the cause of death.

Police said Bell’s GMC Sierra pickup truck was stolen when he was killed, and it was found on January 5 in southeast Calgary, with license plates stolen from Spruce Grove.

Police said Bell was the main resident of the home and had rented the space to other tenants.

Last month, police issued a plea for information from the public and are looking to speak to people visiting the home over the holidays.

1:21
Homicide detectives seek answers in senior’s ‘violent’ death in central Edmonton

On Friday, the Edmonton Police Service announced that investigators have issued a warrant for the arrest of 43-year-old Dawn Austin Gauthier.

He is wanted for first-degree murder, arson, desecration of a body and breach of recognizance in connection with Bell’s death.

Gauthier is described as being six feet tall and weighing approximately 212 pounds.

Police said he had several tattoos, including the word “Dawson” inscribed on the front of his neck, a tattooed gun on the forearm, flames and nature scenes on the other arm, and handcuffs on the tops of his hands. .

Several photos of Gauthier and his tattoos are included below:

Anyone with information on Gauthier’s whereabouts is asked not to contact him and instead call police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250,

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.