Police make arrest in 2012 slaying

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This article was published 26/04/2016 (3811 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police have charged a 28-year-old man from Lorette in the 2012 slaying of Simone Sanderson.

“(The suspect) was known to sexually exploit women he believed worked in the sex trade,” said deputy chief Danny Smyth.

Police believe the suspect picked up Sanderson while driving near Main Street and Burrows Avenue. There was a confrontation, it escalated and Sanderson was killed by blunt trauma.

Sanderson’s body was discovered in a vacant lot at Burrows and Main on Sept. 2, 2012. Police believe she was killed Aug. 26 or 27.

“Simone Sanderson mattered. She is missed by her family and friends,” Smyth said. “Our investigators have done everything in their power to ensure this investigation was done thoroughly and competently so that Simone Sanderson and her family can find justice.”

Winnipeg police announced the “historical homicide arrest” at a press conference Tuesday. Police said earlier they had developed a DNA profile of a male suspect. However, they said Tuesday a DNA sample from the accused has not yet been tested or matched with DNA found with the body.

Police believe the suspect acted alone, but said there is much investigation yet to come.

“Indigenous women and girls are too often the victims of serious crimes,” Smyth said. “I think it’s important for our community to recognize this fact. I think it’s time we stand with the indigenous community to denounce the violence.”

The police were able to confirm the suspect owns a small, two-door car matching the one they were looking for.

Kyllan Ellis has been charged with second-degree murder.

“We first learned of Kyllan Ellis in January of 2014,” said Sgt. Wes Rommel. “We had contact with him in March of that year.”

Meantime, Sanderson’s family has hired a private investigator and has scheduled a news conference Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Main and Burrows, where Simone’s body was found.

Ellis was arrested for impaired driving Dec. 8, 2012. RCMP say they pulled Ellis over at 2 a.m. after seeing his vehicle swerving all over the road. Ellis, who was driving, insisted he hadn’t been drinking. However, blood tests showed he was nearly double the legal limit with a blood-alcohol level of .15.

During his sentencing March 14, 2013, Ellis told Judge Ray Wyant he planned to quit drinking because it only got him into trouble.

“I’m really enjoying school. Not having a licence has been absolute hell. I don’t know if I’ll ever drink again. I don’t think I will,” said Ellis.

“I’m satisfied this was a wake-up call for you,” Wyant said.

Ellis received a $1,500 fine and a one-year driving ban.

— with files from Mike McIntyre and Bill Redekop

erin.debooy@freepress.mb.ca