THUNDER BAY – NEWS – Thunder Bay Police have shared that since the fire at a Brant Street residence that killed two people, they had a suspect under surveillance and were deeply concerned that he was a possible flight risk.
Thunder Bay Police Chief JP Lesveque stated that the arrest on Friday January 15, 2016 of 40 year old Benjamin Ronald Marki resulted from a complex investigation which began on December 27, 2015 with a multi-tier response to a structural fire at a Brant Street residence. Fifty-year-old Anne Chuchmuch was deceased inside the residence. Sixty-year-old Wilfred Charles Pott was transported to hospital where he later died.
The investigation involved the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office and our Criminal Investigations Branch. Post mortem examinations occurred in Toronto on December 31st. Evidence from the scene was sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto for examination. The identity of Anne Chuchmuch had to be confirmed by DNA analysis. On Friday January 15, 2016 investigators received verification from the C.F.S. lab which allowed them to confirm Anne Chuchmuch’s identity and proceed with charges against the accused Benjamin Ronald Marki.
Soon after the fire, Marki was placed on 24 hour surveillance to ensure public safety and allow police to further the investigation. Mark was living in the same residence with the two deceased. It is alleged that Markiet the residence on fire. Mark was arrested at TBPS headquarters without incident on Friday January 16, 2016 by the Criminal Investigations Branch.
Mark remains in custody at Thunder Bay District Jail with a court date of January 19, 2016.
