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already accused on other matters

Murder charge laid after death of Ponoka woman

Nov 7, 2020 | 2:18 PM

A charge of second degree murder has been laid following the death of a woman in Ponoka.

RCMP say members, along with EMS, responded at about 9:25 p.m. on Nov. 5 to a 911 call for an injured female at a Ponoka residential complex.

Chantelle Firingstoney, 26, a resident of Ponoka, was found deceased.

Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation, and following an autopsy, it was determined the cause of death was homicide.

RCMP confirm Ryan Applegarth, shown here in an RCMP file photo, is also accused in connection to a January 2020 homicide case.

Ryan Applegarth, 28, also of Ponoka, was taken into custody by responding members. He will appear in Ponoka Provincial Court on the second degree murder charge on Nov. 13.

RCMP add that they believe this to be an isolated incident and that there is no continued risk to the public.

An Alberta RCMP spokesperson confirms Applegarth is the same person who was sought earlier this year in connection to the Jan. 3 death of a 34-year-old man at a residence in Wetaskiwin.

Applegarth was originally charged with first-degree murder in relation to that incident. His next court appearance for that matter is in January 2021.