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By Sheldon Spackman

March 2022 Incident

Ten year sentence for man convicted in fatal Red Deer arson fire

Oct 22, 2025 | 12:09 PM

A Red Deer man charged in a fatal arson fire three years ago has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Raymond Richard, 40, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of King’s Bench on Oct. 21, 2025, after being convicted on counts of manslaughter, and arson-disregard for human life.

Richard’s sentence, however, will be reduced by 1,224 days after being given credit for 816 days of pre-trial custody. That leaves him with 2,426 days or over six-and-a-half years left to serve. He was also given a firearm prohibition.

It was on March 31, 2022, at around 3:30 a.m., when Red Deer RCMP were called to a structure fire on 39 St. in the West Park neighbourhood.

Emergency crews on scene determined the fire originated in the basement unit of the multi-unit dwelling. A male and a female were located inside the unit and transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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Mounties said a 21-year-old female succumbed to her injuries in hospital, while the male was later released from hospital and subsequently arrested.

Raymond Richard was originally charged with arson and first-degree murder in relation to the incident.

RCMP indicated on April 7, 2022, that the cause of death of the victim would not be released.

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