A 51-year-old woman appeared in Bonnyville provincial court for the first time on June 3, facing charges of first degree murder.
Deborah Doonanco, a retired school teacher formerly with Northern Lights School Division, has been charged with the murder of 44-year-old Kevin Feland, following an incident in Glendon on May 25.
According to an RCMP press release, members of the Glendon Fire Department discovered Feland’s body upon responding to a house fire in Glendon. As a result of the death, RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Provincial Fire Investigator took charge of the investigation and subsequently arrested Doonanco, Feland’s common-law wife, after gathering evidence at the scene.
Doonanco taught at Duclos School in Bonnyville before retiring. She is also the daughter of Johnnie Doonanco, who served Glendon as the mayor for 39 years, and his wife Mary.
Appearing in Bonnyville provincial court via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre last Tuesday, Doonanco said she understood the charges before her. Her lawyer requested the court reserve the suspect’s plea and election for five weeks.
Doonanco is scheduled to appear in court on July 15.
