A Moncton man has been charged with first-degree murder after the remains of a 24-year-old man missing since last week were found outside the city, in a wooded area off Paris Boulevard in Irishtown.
Justin Barrow, 42, made a brief appearance in Moncton provincial court Wednesday afternoon.
He’s accused in the death of Max Boudreau, 24, last seen on Nov. 15 and reported missing on Nov. 17.
Boudreau’s body was found Tuesday.
“At this time, police believe the man’s death to be suspicious, and are investigating the death as a homicide,” New Brunswick RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Hans Ouellette said in a news release Wednesday.
The release does not name the man, but Boudreau was named in court when the charge was laid.
Codiac Regional RCMP and Boudreau’s family had sought the public’s help locating him.
‘Special soul’
Lise Lamoureux announced her son’s death on social media Wednesday morning.
“For those that knew Max very well, you would all agree that he was a special soul,” she posted on Facebook.
Boudreau’s cousin, musician Louise Vautour Goguen, shared the post and wrote, “I have no words.”
No other details about Boudreau’s death have been released.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, Ouellette said.
Barrow is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 12 at 11 am, to give him time to retain a lawyer or apply to legal aid. He remains in custody.
Boudreau’s mother, in her Facebook post, thanked the RCMP and everyone who contributed to the efforts to locate him.
Originally, his last known location was on Albert Street in Moncton on the evening of November. 14.
On Tuesday, the RCMP said Boudreau was last seen on Nov. 15 at about 3 am, leaving a bar on Champlain Street in Dieppe.
In Wednesday’s news release, RCMP thanked members of the community, partner agencies and specialized policy services for their assistance during the search for Boudreau.
“Our thoughts are with the family and community at this time,” Ouellette said.
Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is asked to contact the RCMP at 1-888-506-7267 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).