'Regula Schule was an angel': Community reacts to murder charges in volunteer's death

People in Happy Valley-Goose Bay whose lives were touched by lifelong volunteer and community worker Regula Schule are working through their emotions as they digest the news RCMP have laid a second-degree murder chargein relation to her death.

"She gave her heart to everybody. As far as I'm concerned, she was just a beautiful woman that nobody should never do anyharm to,"said John Neville, an artist who had knownSchulefor years, his voice wavering with emotion at her memory.

"RegulaSchule was an angel, she was a good woman,"

• 2nd-degree murder charge laid in death of Regula Schule

• 'She took care of everyone': Labrador mourns life-long volunteer killed in suspicious fire

Schule, 88,was found unresponsive in her home in the midst of a house fire July 24.On Wednesday,RCMPlaid a charge ofsecond-degree murder against JonathanHenoche, 30, following a lengthy investigation.

Neville knew Henoche well,through Neville's jobas a supportive housing worker with the NunatsiavutGovernment.

"Idone my best for him. I'm in shock,that's all Ican tell you," said Neville, adding he had often counseled Henoche, sharing cigarettes or coffee with him and encouraging him to go back to school or train for a career.

"Ithought for sure he was going to do something with himself."

Henoche had previously been charged with arson and breaking and entering in a different house fire this one, at Neville's house, which burned to the ground.

• Man who lost house to fire shocked person he knows charged with arson

"Ididn't think the young fella was so trouble minded. He had me fooled, he had me fooled pretty good," said Neville.

Community 'longing' for answers

As the news of Henoche's latestcharge rippled throughout Labrador, people who knew Schule grappled with their emotions,some of whom had felt long before Wednesday that she had been murdered.

"This is certainly something Ibelieve as a community we've been awaiting, and even longing for some answers, some justice for this terrible situation that's affected our whole community," Capt. Brent Haas of the Salvation Army told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.

RCMPare releasing few details of their investigation, such as the cause of Schule's death, but did offer an explanation intothe nearly two-month delay between her death and the charge

"We wanted to ensure that everything is proper andthorough, and youdon'twant to rushthese things.And you want to make sure no stone's unturned here," saidCpl. TrevorO'Keefe.

While police have deemed the fire at Schule's home suspicious, no arson charges have yet been laid, although O'Keefe said the investigation is still active and continuing.

Haas said the murder charge shocked some, but "everybody wanted justice for Regula," and he hopes the legal proceedings can help people deal with their pain.

"It's at least the beginning of a journey to some closure and some healing," he said,adding people should attempt to channel Schule's generous and kind spirit during the proceedings.

"Regula would probably be the first one to say:pray for this man, he needs help,pray for his family."

John Neville agreedthat Schule, particularly wellknown for her work with the poor and imprisoned, will be long remembered not just for the death, but for her decades of work in the community.

"She gave her heart to Labrador."