A 41-year-old male has been arrested and, according to RCMP, is expected to be charged with murder following the death of a 34-year-old woman Sunday afternoon in Bonnyville.
According to an RCMP press release, the male called 911 at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, reporting the female was unconscious and non-responsive. When RCMP and EMS arrived, they determined the woman was deceased and the male was arrested for murder at that time.
A preliminary investigation suggests the woman's injuries were the result of a physical altercation that took place in the early morning hours of Dec. 4, and alcohol is believed to be a factor, say police.
Both the deceased and the accused are known to police and investigators are working on a "very strong tentative identification" of the deceased, which will be confirmed by the medical examiner after an autopsy is conducted to determine cause of death.
An autopsy was scheduled for Monday afternoon in Edmonton, which police say should reveal the cause of death and confirm the identity of the victim.
The scene is currently being examined by forensic investigators. The investigation is ongoing with assistance of RCMP personnel from the St. Paul Major Crimes Unit, Edmonton and Cold Lake General Investigation Sections and the St. Paul Forensic Identification Section.
RCMP say a homicide charge is expected to be laid sometime Monday.
