Murder charge laid after remains found in Riverton identified

A 41-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after investigators confirmed human remains found in Riverton Wednesday belonged to a man who’d been missing since mid-March.

Richard Lea is charged in connection with the death of Darryl Lambert, who was last seen on March 15 at a home in the Interlake town, which is 130 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Michael Clasen, a cousin designated as the Lambert family spokesman, said RCMP delivered the heartbreaking news Wednesday night.

“It’s not the outcome we wanted, but now we want to get some answers and see exactly what happened.”

He said it brings some relief after weeks of not knowing what had happened.

“It was day-in and day-out of wondering, sleepless nights and searching,” said Clasen, who grew up with Lambert in St. Vital.

“In Riverton, I searched and searched and searched. I went to places I’d never thought I’d walk or be.”

Lambert was reported missing March 17. His car, a grey Chevy Impala was found at the Riverton Motor Inn shortly after his disappearance.

Clasen said he’s not certain about the connection between the two men.

He said he drove to Riverton Wednesday and noticed a home in the community had been cordoned off by police tape.

Clasen said his cousin was a loving person who was always ready to help, especially with electrical work; he had a “wicked smile” and made people laugh.

“He loved working on electronics – all kinds of electronics. From sound systems to cellphones,” he said. “If something was broken or needed to be wired … he was the guy to call.”

RCMP said Lea was taken into custody without incident. On Wednesday, there was a large RCMP presence in the community as officers and a forensics team investigated the discovery of the remains.

News quickly spread in the community of 500 people.

In an earlier interview with the Free Press, Bifrost-Riverton deputy reeve Chad Johnson, who knew Lambert through work, said the car where the remains were found had not moved for a few years. He said it’s his understanding the remains were discovered “wrapped up” in the trunk of the vehicle.

Johnson said residents were shaken by the discovery.

“It’s not like in the big city where you don’t know your neighbours. Everybody knows pretty much everybody here.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca