Two youth are facing manslaughter and arson charges after a fatal house fire in Wetaskiwin late last year.
Wetaskiwin RCMP say officers were called to a residential fire near 53 Avenue and 45 Street at about 5:12 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2024.
When police arrived, they found the body of a man inside the home. He has been identified as 67-year-old Donald Robert, a resident of Wetaskiwin.
RCMP say the circumstances around Robert’s death were deemed suspicious and the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation.
Following what police describe as an extensive investigation, officers arrested a male and a female youth on July 9, 2025.
Both have been charged with manslaughter and arson with disregard for human life.
Police say the identities of the accused cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The two were remanded in custody following a judicial interim release hearing and are scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on July 10.