Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A 26-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both from Fredericton, N.B., have been charged jointly with first degree murder as part of new charges laid in connection with the homicide of a 27-year-old man, from Minto, N.B.
On March 31, 2022, the New Brunswick RCMP Major Crime Unit located a body in a wooded area off a snowmobile trail in Chipman. The individual was later identified as Brandon Donelan of Minto, who had been reported missing on January 30, 2022. The investigation had determined the man’s death to be the result of a homicide.
On June 21, 2023, as part of the ongoing investigation, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Wasson Road in Newcastle Creek, near Minto. A 40-year-old woman was arrested at the scene. A 25-year old man, who was present at the residence, was also arrested in relation to a Canada Wide warrant for parole violation.
On June 30, joint first-degree murder charges were laid against Erica Blyth and Joshua McIsaac in Fredericton Provincial Court. Both individuals remain in custody, and will return to court at a later date.
On October 3, police arrested a 26-year-old man and a 29-year-old man in connection with the investigation at a correctional facility in Dorchester, where they are currently serving federal sentences on unrelated matters.
On October 4, first-degree murder charges were laid jointly against Devon Mark Hood and Matthew David LeBlanc in Fredericton Provincial Court. Both men were remanded into the custody of Corrections Canada and are scheduled to appear in court on October 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Anyone with information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Major Crime Unit at 1-888-506-RCMP (7267). Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.