Update: Three charged with murder following Thunder Bay fire

The Thunder Bay Police Service says two men from the Ottawa area and one man from Thunder Bay have been charged with first-degree murder after the discovery of a man’s remains following a house fire in early October.

Thirty-three-year-old Jordan LaPointe was found dead following the fire in the 100 block of Frederica Street East on Oct. 3. Police announced Oct. 8 that the death was being treated as a homicide, but news releases have not disclosed the nature of LaPointe’s death.

Nineteen-year-old Shane Cabral of Ottawa and 20-year-old Michael Gomez of Nepean, were arrested on Oct. 22 as part of an unrelated drug investigation. Investigators informed the men Oct. 26 that they were being charged with first-degree murder.

The suspects made initial court apperances on Oct. 27 and are due to appear in court again Nov. 3.

On Oct. 29, police announced that 43-year-old Ronald Jerry Hill of Thunder Bay was arrested in connection with the case and charged with first-degree murder and arson. Hill appeared in bail court on Oct. 29 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.

Police also arrested a 22-year-old Thunder Bay man on Oct. 27 on an arson charge connected to the Oct. 3 fire. He appeared in bail court on Oct. 28.

Police continue to investigate the death and ask anyone with information to call them at 807-684-1200 or submit tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.