As previously released:
On February 11, 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service received a request from Selkirk RCMP to assist with a missing person investigation. Brandon Brust, a 26-year-old male, and an unnamed 22-year-old female were reported missing from Scanterbury and believed to be in Winnipeg. The Bear Clan assisted with the search efforts.
On February 13, Brust’s vehicle was found parked in Winnipeg along the 600 block of Selkirk Avenue.
On February 14, at approximately 9:45 a.m., WPS General Patrol officers responded to a known drug house in the 400 block of Pritchard Avenue for the report of suspicious circumstances. Responding units located several people within the residence, including a 22-year-old female who had been seriously assaulted. She was taken to hospital, and the remaining people in the house were detained. One of these detained individuals was identified as the 22-year-old female missing from Scanterbury.
The Major Crimes Unit continued the investigation and determined that Brandon Brust (reported as missing) attended the Pritchard Avenue residence on February 11. While inside, Brust was attacked and killed by the male resident. His remains were subsequently removed from the house and moved to another location. A female present during the incident was seriously assaulted, and another female was threatened and forcibly confined at the scene. A sexual assault was also committed on one of the females.
While the suspects remained in custody, investigators worked to locate the deceased’s remains.
On March 30, RCMP confirmed human remains had been located near Road 79 North in the Rural Municipality of Woodlands – just west of Highway 6. Subsequent forensic analysis determined the remains to be that of Brandon Brust.
Three adults were charged regarding the homicide.
Kenneth Andrew Edwards, a 29-year-old male of Winnipeg, was charged with:
- Second Degree Murder
- Sexual Assault
- Forcible Confinement
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Offences Contrary to Prohibition Order (x5)
- Fail to Comply with Court Orders (x8)
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance
Billie Erin Kozub, a 38-year-old female of Winnipeg, was charged with:
- Accessory After the Fact to Murder
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Offence Contrary to Prohibition
- Warrants: Aggravated Assault and Fail to Comply with Court Orders (x5)
Emily Rae Fontaine, an 18-year-old female of Winnipeg, was charged with:
- Accessory After the Fact to Murder
All three were detained.
Update:
Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued with the investigation and identified a fourth suspect. A warrant for her arrest was subsequently issued.
On September 9, 2022, the suspect was located in The Pas by RCMP members after an incident where she threatened a family member. She was placed under arrest and later transported to Winnipeg for processing.
Kayla Josephine Bercier, a 23-year-old female of The Pas, has been charged with:
- Accessory After the Fact to Murder
- Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order (x2)
She has been detained.