RCMP lay murder charge in 2017 death of Rankin Inlet boy

Fifteen months after 12-year-old Ray "OJ" TapartiJr. was killed in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, police believe they've found his killer.

On Saturday, theRCMPin Iqaluit arrested and charged 21-year-old GlenKadlakJr., of Rankin Inlet, with one count of murder in relation to the homicide. He's scheduled to appear in court on Oct.23.

• 6 months later, still no charges laid in Rankin Inlet boy's homicide

At a news conference Sunday, police saidKadlakandTapartiwere "casual acquaintances" but wouldn't elaborate on how the two knew each other.

The arrest is the first major development in a case in whichpolice have put out repeated calls for the public's help.

Police said the investigation was one of the largest for the division's major crimes unit, involvingmore than 100 officers, 75 interviews and thousands of investigative hours.

The RCMP did not, however, say whether Kadlakhas been charged with first- or second-degree murder.

"We are continuing to work with the prosecution team. At this time Kadlak is charged with straight murder," a spokesperson said in an email following the news conference.

Disappeared July 2017

On July 7, 2017,Taparti'sfamily reported to police he had been missing for approximately five days. Search and rescue crews found his remains the next day in an industrial part of town.

An autopsy later ruled his death a homicide.

"We are relieved to hear somebody is in custody tonight,"Taparti'sfamily said in a statement, while also asking for privacy.

"OJ is terribly missed, and we're glad the police have worked so hard to bring justice for OJ."

TheRCMPalso issued a correction, clarifyingTapartiwas 12 years old when he died. His age was previously announced and reported as 11.

Closure for Taparti family

NunavutRCMPcalled a press conference Sunday night to announce the arrest an extremely rare practice for the territory'spolice force.

RCMP would not answer any questions regarding the motive of the alleged killing. Nor would they say what the RCMP's big break was in the case, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

But police said it wouldn't have been fair to Taparti'sfamily to wait any longer toannouncethe arrest.

"This is about OJ and OJ's family, and justice for OJ," Const.Danielle Pollock said.

"This is for OJ'sfamily to move forward and heal. To have them sit there and not be able to express how things are moving forward in their life this has stopped their life for 15 [months]. For us to put a cap on it and wait until [Tuesday], I don't think it would have been appropriate."