Killaloe OPP charge suspect with murder
Eganville man, 67, found dead while visiting friends near Golden Lake
A Bonnechere Valley Township man is charged with first-degree murder after a 67-year-old man was found dead at the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation near Golden Lake on Saturday.
Zachary Marquardt, 27, appeared in court via video link Sunday morning and was held in custody pending a July 19 court date in Killaloe, the OPP said Monday. He is also charged with failing to comply with a probation order.
The victim's identity will be confirmed after an autopsy, an OPP spokesperson said.
However, Vancouver-area resident James Cousineau said Monday that he had received confirmation that his uncle, Ronald Graham of Eganville, was the victim.
Cousineau said he hoped police would have timely updates for his family and hailed the large team of investigators on the case and the speed with which charges were laid in the killing.
It was “totally senseless,” Cousineau said from the Kenora area as he travelled to make arrangements for an uncle he described as a friendly man who would help anyone in need and loved animals.
About a month ago, he had surprised Graham with a visit after about 10 years of keeping in touch by phone.
“I'm really glad I got the opportunity to do that,” Cousineau said.
Cousineau said he received a phone call from friends of his uncle saying that Graham had been killed early Saturday morning while visiting friends on the reserve.
He was also told that one person had been taken into custody after being spotted walking down the road covered in blood.
Killaloe OPP officers responding to a 911 call from a home on a road north of Kokomis Inamo just before 3 a.m. Saturday found the man dead and a second man with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The injured man was taken to hospital by Renfrew County paramedics.
An investigation continues under the direction of the OPP's criminal investigation branch with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Services.