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Three people from Edmonton have been charged in the death of a 12-year-old boy whose remains were found in rural Alberta in August.
The boy has been identified as Fiasal Hussein by police. Cole Morin, 34, and Curtis Brown, 36, have been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Rachel Stuart, 36, has been charged with second-degree murder.
Insp. Wayne Stevenson of the RCMP’s serious crime branch said at a news conference Wednesday in Edmonton that Fiasal “was associated with people involved in criminality” and knew the three accused. Stevenson alleged that Fiasal was lured from his home before being killed.
“He did not deserve that,” said Stevenson. “Whatever challenges or choices may have led to his untimely death, he was still a child with a future ahead of him. This was a cruel and heartbreaking act.”
Stevenson said the investigation began with a 911 call to Athabasca RCMP shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Aug .6. The unknown caller, who police now believe was Fiasal, said he had been kidnapped and was injured.
The call came from the area around Calling Lake, Alta., which is about 200 kilometres north of Edmonton. Spotty reception made it difficult for dispatchers to assess the situation, said Stevenson.
Officers arriving at the scene found a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Edmonton. Stevenson said officers found evidence of an attack, but did not comment on its nature. Hussein’s remains were found at around 9 a.m. during a search of the area. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner declared the death to be a homicide.
Brown, Morin and Stuart were arrested at residences throughout Edmonton on Oct. 24. All three remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in the Athabasca Court of Justice on Nov. 9.
Police did not elaborate on the relationship between Fiasal and the three accused. They also didn’t provide details on how the boy left his house or how he was killed. Sgt. James McConnell with the RCMP’s major crimes unit said those details are part of the investigation and will be told in court.
“The exact specifics and motive of this homicide are still part of the ongoing investigation,“ said McConnell.
“Parents aren’t supposed to bury their children and that’s what we have in this case.”
