Pamela Napoleon case: Suspect charged with murder, arson in 2014 killing

A man has been charged with second-degree murderin relation tothe death of a northern B.C. woman three years ago.

Pamela Napoleonwas found dead inside a cabin, whichhad been burned to the groundon Aug. 4, 2014. She had beenreported missing from theBlueberry River First Nation, about 90 kilometres north of Fort St. John,just over a week earlier.

Leon Wokeley, 42,was arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder, arson and indignity to human remains in connection toher death.

An RCMP statement said Napoleon and Wokeleyknew each other and lived in the same community, although Napoleon's death was not a domestic crime.

Daughter, sister, mother, friend

Vanessa Apsassin, Napoleon's sister, described hersister as"a beautiful spirit" who loved camping, fishing, hunting, cooking and honouring her culture. She saidNapoleon, 42, also loved spending time with her family, especially her two sons.

Apsassin said her family wassaddened and relieved to hear that chargeshad been laid.

"This was a shock to all of us and has brought back many dark memories from the time she went missing until now," she said Monday. "We want to thank the police for taking our case seriously, establishing what happened to Pam, so that we can begin to heal."

RCMP said their investigation into Napoleon's killingexpanded in 2015, when the special projects unit within theRCMP's major crimes unit was brought on to the case.

It took medical and dental records to confirm Napoleon'sidentity after she was found at the cabin, which was about 30 kilometres south of her home.

Officials weren't immediately able to determine the cause of death because of the heat of the fire. The cabin fire was also considered suspicious.

Insp. Mike Kurvers said officers worked through "hundreds" of pieces of evidence before making an arrest.

"I know that this announcement will never bring Pamela back," Kurverssaid in a statement Monday. "I can only hope it brings some comfort and answers to her family and the community."

Wokeley has a criminal record dating back more than a decade, with convictions forfor mischief, resisting arrest, breaching probationand uttering threats.

He remains in custody with acourt appearanceset for Wednesday.

With files fromBetsy Trumpener