A 56-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his neighbour who was reported missing several days ago.
Camille Cleroux was charged on Wednesday, four days after Paula Leclair's son reported her missing when he found an unknown male living in his mother's apartment on Fairlea Crescent in south Ottawa.
As police investigated the case, they were led to a wooded area at on old train yard off Albion Road where they discovered human remains.
Forensic investigators are now attempting to identify the remains. However, police say that may take some time.
Insp. Mark Ford told CTV Ottawa on Wednesday a large number of officers were brought on scene to help keep the two-kilometre wooded area secure and prevent people from wandering through the site.
Tale of jackpot
Neighbours told CTV Ottawa a man who lived in Leclair's building moved into her unit shortly after she disappeared.
He apparently told neighbours Leclair, 64, won a $50,000-jackpot and immediately took a trip to Disney World, giving him permission to move into her apartment.
"He told me that he bought her a ticket and she won $50,000 and he was mad because she was only going to give him $100 out of it. The next thing I know is he's moving out of his apartment and thrown all of her stuff away," said neighbour Laurel Stewart.
However, police say the woman never won the lotto.
Leclair remembered as kind person
Those who knew Leclair described her as a warm person who loved taking care of her grandchild and often offered to help neighbours walk their dogs.
"Paula, she's a sweetie. She's always helping people, very friendly, beautiful," said Stewart.
Police say their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 5423 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS).
With files from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
