Winnipeg police have charged a New Brunswick man in connection to the 2014 death of Tina Fontaine.
Raymond Joseph Cormier, 53, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement.
Police said Cormier was arrested in Vancouver this week. He remained in custody on Friday while arrangements were being made to return him to Winnipeg.
"Investigators know that Tina was highly vulnerable and was exploited during her time on the run," Deputy Police Chief Danny Smyth said at a news conference in Winnipeg.
"Investigators discovered that Tina frequented a residence on the east side of the city. Investigators also discovered that Raymond Cormier often frequented that same residence.
"It's believed that Tina and Cormier were acquainted."
Smyth said Cormier is originally from New Brunswick but has lived in Winnipeg for some years. Smyth said Cormier has a long criminal history with convictions across the country that include violent offences.
"We hope our efforts help Tina Fontaine's family discover the truth and find justice,” said Sgt. John O'Donnovan.
Tina Fontaine was reported missing on Aug. 9, 2014 and was last seen in downtown Winnipeg a day before.
A few days later, on Aug. 14, her body was found in the Red River near the Alexander Docks.
Fontaine spent much of her life on Sagkeeng First Nation where she lived with her aunt Thelma Favel, but went to Winnipeg about a month before her death to visit her biological mother.
Fontaine was supposed to have been in a group or foster home, but had run away.
Her death intensified calls for an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous girls and women.
A family member of a high-profile Manitoba missing person’s case was on-hand to hear the announcement Friday.
Willie Starr’s sister, Jennifer Catcheway, disappeared on her 18th birthday in 2008.
“So when I heard this today, I just jumped for joy in my house,” he said. “My mom called me and said, ‘Did you hear?’ You know, it’s just amazing.”
Since Catcheway’s disappearance, her family has followed leads across the province for the missing woman with little success.
“I’m just happy and overjoyed for the family that they have some closure,” said Starr. “It’s something that a lot of us don’t have. We want that too.”
Starr said Fontaine’s death impacted the entire community, and prompted increased action on the cause of missing and murdered indigenous women.
Starr now works with police as a member of the indigenous council on crime prevention in Winnipeg, and commends all officers working on missing and murdered cases – including his sister's.
“I know that there’s always a continuation of work. There’s only so much that they can handle, but I know they are trying,” he said.
- with files from The Canadian Press
