Man charged with kidnapping, manslaughter, arson in connection with fatal fire

Edmonton police have charged one person in the death of Thomas Richard Russell, whose body was found in the aftermath of a fire earlier this year.

EPS say they were called to a house fire by Edmonton Fire Rescue in the early morning of Jan. 23, after the fire was believed to be suspicious.

During the investigation of the fire at 118 Avenue and 79 Street, EPS and EFR found a body in the house that was later identified to be Russell.

EPS say on July 7, a 28-year-old man was charged with kidnapping with a firearm, manslaughter with a firearm, interfering with a dead body, and arson.

The death has been determined to be a homicide.

Russell’s cause of death has not been released by police as the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.