West Quebec is now the focus of a police manhunt for two suspects wanted in connection with a Sudbury murder.
Canada-wide warrants for the arrests of Kristopher Campbell Lavallee, 28, and a 17-year-old were issued after the Greater Sudbury Police Service recovered unidentified human remains in a bush located off a residential area in Sudbury's east end on Tuesday. Police say the pair was camping in the area.
The 17-year-old cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. However, a judge previously allowed the media to identify the suspect.
Sudbury police say they've confirmed two sightings of the suspects in the Bowman and Val-des-Bois area of Quebec on May 30 and May 31. The area is located about 90 kilometres north of Ottawa.
Police say the pair was dropped off by a white vehicle at Gargoyle Lake, Que. on May 30. Investigators are now looking for the driver of that vehicle, and ask him or her to contact the local police station.
Police say the suspects are now believed to be heading north to Mont-Laurier, Que. However, police are also investigating an unconfirmed report the suspects were spotted in Gatineau, Que. on Tuesday.
The suspects also have a connection to the Upper Ottawa Valley. Ontario provincial police are keeping a close eye out for the pair in the town of Arnprior, Ont., where both of the suspects once lived.
Police searched for the pair in an area off McCallum Drive between Arnprior and Renfrew on Wednesday.
Police say the suspects are believed to have camping gear with them and advise residents they may be camping along the highway.
Police say both have been known to carry weapons and advise the public not to approach them.
Lavallee is described as five feet nine inches tall and about 183 pounds. He has brown hair with a Mohawk cut and a pony tail.
Police say he has brown eyes and a piercing across the bridge of his nose. He also has lots of tattoos, including one with the word 'sick' written in green on his arm; another of a grim reaper on the back of his neck; and a third with the word 'con' on his upper right arm.
Lavelle has an extensive criminal record. He is originally from Sudbury, Ont. and is wanted in Ontario and British Columbia for other crimes.
Police have said little about the homicide victim. Officers say the identity of the victim will not be released until forensic testing is complete and next of kin are notified.
Anyone with information on the homicide or the whereabouts of the suspects is asked to contact Sudbury police at 705-675-9171, ext. 2355 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
