The arrest is the result of an extensive investigation involving the Edmonton Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Calgary Police Service.
On Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, the suspect was arrested by the CBSA with the assistance of the CPS at the Calgary International Airport, after arriving in Canada on an international flight.
Marcel Cristian Niculae, 20, has been charged with second degree murder. The accused has been remanded.
The victim was identified by police as Jon Syah Ribut, 35, and was originally from Indonesia and in Edmonton on a temporary basis.
Anyone with information that may be helpful to the investigation is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.
Background:
EPS West Division Patrol officers responded to a “trouble not known” call at a motel in the area of 154 Street and 111 Avenue at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. Police found the body of a deceased male in a motel room. The Medical Examiner identified the male, and determined that he died of blunt force trauma. EPS Homicide Section detectives investigated and found that the victim was involved in the sex trade. Police released the male’s photo and asked for tips from the public in the event that he may have been known by a different name.