ST. PAUL - A second degree murder charge has been laid in connection to the death of Kimberly Cardinal, according to St. Paul RCMP.
An extensive investigation that spanned over a year led RCMP Major Crimes Unit to lay the charges.
A 43-year-old man from Saddle Lake was arrested on July 14 and was charged the following day with second degree murder and improperly interfering with the human remains.
A bail hearing was held for the accused - Billy Joe Brertton - and he was remanded in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 23 in St. Paul Provincial Court.
No other suspects are being sought in the homicide, according to RCMP.
Kimberly Cardinal was last seen in Saddle Lake on April 23, 2019. That spring, family and friends did extensive searches for Cardinal, who was just 34 years old when she went missing. Cardinal was also a mother to three children.
Her remains were eventually found and RCMP noted at that time the circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious.
