Police in Winnipeg have arrested three suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of 42 year-old Jennifer Barrett from Greater Sudbury.
Sudbury.com has been unable to confirm Barrett was indeed from Sudbury after the Winnipeg Police Service declined to provide further information when requested on Saturday.
However, CBC News in Manitoba is reporting that DNA confirmed the indentiy of Barrett.
After an investigation lasting several months, Winnipeg homicide investigators have arrested and charged Perez Adaryll Cleveland, 43, a Canadian citizen born in the U.S., with first degree murder in Barrett's death, according to a release posted to the WPS website.
Also charged with accessory after the fact to murder are Jessica Elizabeth Reid, 34, of Winnipeg, and Holley Alyssa Sullivan, 28, of Calgary.
All three have been detained in custody.
According to the release, homicide detectives began an investigation in the late fall of 2016 into human remains that had been recovered in a barrel in the backyard of a Winnipeg residence.
Barrett and the three accused in her death previously lived together in a residence in the Waverley Heights neighbourhood of Winnipeg. Their relationship is currently not clear.
Last August, Barrett "had succumbed to injuries sustained during an assault that lasted several days," the WPS release states. Her remains were then placed in a barrel along with several chemical agents which sped up decomposition of the body. The barrel had been left on the property.
A search warrant was executed at the residence on Dec. 1, 2016. Forensic lab results were required to confirm the that Barrett was indeed the victim.
Cleveland was arrested on Dec. 13 while already in custody on 55 offences including parole violations, possession of a weapon, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.
Reid was arrested at a Winnipeg residence and Sullivan was arrested in Calgary with assistance from the Calgary Police Service.
Sudbury.com will continue to update this story as details become available.
