COLD LAKE – A man was arrested after a lengthy investigation into a fire at the Cold Lake men's shelter.
On May 26, 29-year-old Guillaume Nelson Gilbert was arrested for manslaughter and arson causing the death of Leslie Klassen.
The incident occurred on March 14 at approximately 5 p.m. when Cold Lake RCMP and fire and emergency services responded to a structure fire in Cold Lake south.
The building suffered extensive interior damage and several people were treated on scene for smoke inhalation and other related injuries.
Klassen, a 50-year-old man from Cold Lake, was transported via STARS to an Edmonton hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries while in care.
Lead by the Cold Lake General Investigation Section and the Eastern District Crime Reduction Team, supported by the Cold Lake Fire Department, Cold Lake patrol members, St. Paul and Edmonton Forensic Identification Section, Forestry Crime Unit and “K” Division Digital Forensics Service Unit.
Gilbert was arrested and, after a judicial interim hearing, was remanded into custody. He's scheduled to attend court in Cold Lake on June 10.
