By rdnewsNOW staff

Murder charge laid in Stettler homicide

Apr 12, 2018 | 1:08 PM

STETTLER- The RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) has laid a murder charge in relation to the death of a man in Stettler which occurred last Friday.

In the early evening of April 6 an investigation was launched when the Stetter RCMP Detachment determined that there was a deceased male, now identified as 70-year-old James Hulkovich of Stettler, inside a residence and the circumstances of his death appeared to be suspicious. 

On April 7 the victim’s truck was located near Wetaskiwin.  A traffic stop was conducted and four people were arrested roadside.  One of the males arrested in the truck was transported to an Edmonton Hospital where he received medical assistance.  Three other subjects were released with no charges. 

An autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary on April 10. It was determined that the manner of Hulkovich’s death was homicide. 

Early Tuesday afternoon, 51-year-old John Roland Savage of Stettler was arrested at an Edmonton hospital and placed into police custody and taken to Strathcona County Detachment.  Savage is facing one charge of Second Degree Murder. A judicial interim release hearing has been held and he is scheduled to appear in court in Stettler on April 26.

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Stettler RCMP say John Savage was arrested in the early morning hours of April 6 and was taken to the Stettler Hospital where he was placed under the watch of the hospital security.  He was reported to have fled the hospital in the afternoon on April 6.

RCMP say they will be providing no further details on these incidents.