Regina Police Lay Murder Charge After Body Discovered in Vehicle Trunk
The Regina Police Service has charged a woman with first-degree murder following the discovery of a man's body in the trunk of a vehicle earlier this year. This development marks a significant step in an ongoing homicide investigation that has now resulted in charges against three individuals.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
Shyla Keewatin, a 33-year-old Regina resident, was arrested on Tuesday evening and now faces serious criminal charges. The Regina Police Service confirmed in an official news release that Keewatin has been charged with first-degree murder and offering an indignity to a dead body. She made her initial court appearance on Wednesday afternoon to address these allegations.
The victim in this case has been identified as 56-year-old Michael Norman Ross, whose death was officially classified as a homicide by police investigators last week. The discovery of Ross's body has triggered a complex investigation that continues to unfold with new developments.
Additional Suspects Face Related Charges
Two other men have also been charged in connection with Michael Norman Ross's death, bringing the total number of individuals facing charges to three. According to police documentation and court records:
- A 37-year-old man faces charges of offering an indignity to a body and accessory after the fact to murder. Court documents allege this individual loaded Ross's body into a hockey bag and then placed it in the trunk of a Chrysler 300, after which the vehicle was driven "around the city."
- A 26-year-old man faces multiple charges including offering an indignity to a human body, flight from a peace officer, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm when prohibited, and accessory after the fact to murder.
Police Investigation Timeline
The investigation began in earnest during the early morning hours of January 19th, when Regina police officers attempted to stop a vehicle near the intersection of Albert Street and Saskatchewan Drive. According to police accounts, the vehicle initially evaded officers but was located a short time later through aerial surveillance.
The Regina Police Service airplane crew tracked the vehicle to the 1400 block of Princess Street in the city's North Central neighbourhood. By the time officers arrived at the scene, all occupants had fled the vehicle, leaving behind the body of Michael Norman Ross.
Further investigative work led police to a residence in the 3700 block of Dewdney Avenue, where additional evidence was gathered and arrests were eventually made. The coordinated police response involved multiple units and specialized resources to piece together the circumstances surrounding Ross's death.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
With charges now formally laid against three individuals, the case will proceed through the Saskatchewan justice system. First-degree murder charges carry particularly serious consequences under Canadian law, reflecting the gravity of the allegations in this investigation.
The Regina Police Service continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Michael Norman Ross's death and may provide additional updates as the legal process unfolds. Community members with relevant information have been encouraged to contact investigators as they work to establish a complete picture of events leading to this tragic outcome.
