RCMP homicide investigators say they are making progress into the murder of Innisfailian Oleg Alex Cusnir but they won't say if they are close to making an arrest.
“We have collected evidence but unfortunately we can't release or divulge what we have,” said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk. “We have made a lot of progress. We are still pursuing persons of interest and there have been a lot of tasks coming from this; a lot of investigation we have to do. We have to cover off every avenue possible. Our briefing is full every morning.”
The Innisfail RCMP detachment is the central hub of the Cusnir murder investigation, where local officers and members of the Calgary Major Crimes Unit, who are leading the probe, meet every morning to discuss its progress.
Last weekend RCMP investigators conducted searches and examinations at several locations in the Innisfail area, including the closed Buster's convenience store, located at the far south end of 49th Avenue.
“We have collected evidence but unfortunately we can't release or divulge what we have,” said Matechuk, adding the RCMP is also looking at leads in Saskatchewan where Cusnir, 27, had a girlfriend, Ashley Roberts, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. As to the news of her slain boyfriend's death, she posted on Facebook, “My baby, my love. What do I do?" She was not immediately available for further comment.
During a media conference on May 18, Matechuk said Mounties were trying to locate “persons of interest”. He said last Friday that “some” were found but no charges were laid.
“We have spoken to lots and are still pursuing others,” said Matechuk, reiterating that RCMP do not believe the murder was connected to organized crime. “We are still forging ahead in this investigation. It is day by day. We've had a lot of resources on this.”
The investigation into the murder of Cusnir began shortly after 2:30 p.m. on May 15 after his 2010 grey Ford F-350 pickup truck was discovered on fire in a field, just off Rge. Rd. 273, about two kilometres south of Highway 590, and about nine kilometres east of Innisfail.
The Innisfail Fire Department and RCMP were immediately called to the scene, said Matechuk.
“Our response time was very quick. At the time the vehicle was in flames and the fire department put the vehicle out and located a deceased person in the vehicle,” said Matechuk, adding the deceased was later identified as Cusnir, a carpenter who moved to Innisfail from Saskatchewan in September last year to look for work. “Mr. Cusnir is not related to the property where he was found.”
Matechuk said investigators know the cause and time of death but are not releasing that information.
He said he could not speak to a motive, nor would he say whether the murder took place at the scene where the burning vehicle and body were found, or if the homicide occurred somewhere else and the deceased's body was moved.
Matechuk said he had “no knowledge” whether Cusnir was involved in the drug trade, or if his murder was targeted.
“We have lots of officers involved in this investigation as far as numbers. It will change daily,” said Matechuk, adding the search and examination for clues at the scene where Cusnir's burning vehicle and body were found has been completed. He said additional evidence was collected but it won't be released publicly at this time. “We can't divulge what type or what it is. It is too early in the investigation to release any of that,” said Matechuk.
He said RCMP investigators have been talking to Cusnir's family about the case. He added family members are currently seeking privacy to deal with their personal loss.
Matechuk said the RCMP is still asking for public assistance to help its ongoing homicide probe.
Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact Innisfail RCMP detachment at 403-227-3341, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or text: tttTIPS to 274637
