City man accused of arson also facing murder charge

Jonathan Rosenthal arrested Wednesday in connection with death of Crystal Mcfadyen

A 39-year-old man who was immediately considered by Saskatoon police to be a person of interest in a July homicide has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Crystal Louise Mcfadyen.

Mcfadyen (nee Louis), 37, was identified as the woman whose body was found after a July 6 house fire in the 200 block of Avenue F North. The autopsy, which police said involved “the remains of McFadyen and her unborn child,” confirmed for investigators that Mcfadyen’s death was a homicide.

On Wednesday, Jonathan Alexander Rosenthal, 39, was charged with second-degree murder as well as offering an indignity to human remains. He was arrested and taken into custody without incident shortly before 9 a.m., according to Saskatoon police spokeswoman Kelsie Fraser.

Rosenthal, 39, was previously arrested and charged with arson with disregard for human life in connection with the house fire. At the time of that arrest in July, Saskatoon police spokeswoman Julie Clark said he “is a person of interest in the homicide investigation.”

Police confirmed in the days following the fire that Mcfadyen and Rosenthal were known to each other. Until his arrest on Wednesday, Rosenthal had been free on a $5,000 cash recognizance following a bail hearing on the arson charge.

According to Fraser, “investigations are often complex and take time to gather the evidence necessary to pursue laying a charge.”

Mcfadyen, who in a Facebook post shortly before her death shared a photo of a recent ultrasound, was eight months pregnant.

The investigation is continuing, police say. According to a court clerk on Wednesday, no date had been set for Rosenthal’s first appearance on the murder charge.

Mcfadyen — also known to friends as Crystal Louis — worked as an office supervisor at ADESA Saskatoon, a local auction company, until June 2017. According to a company spokeswoman in July, police made inquiries with ADESA as part of the investigation. The spokeswoman also confirmed that “Mr. Rosenthal is a former employee.”

Mcfadyen was a member of the North Saskatchewan Regiment Pipes and Drums and a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, according to her Facebook and Linkedin profiles.

Hugh Fraser, a veteran player in the North Sask. Regiment, said Mcfadyen joined around five years ago and quickly started learning the tenor drum. He described her as “outgoing and friendly” and never afraid to speak her mind.

According to police, Mcfadyen’s family had not heard from her since July 3 and reported her missing on July 5.

The Saskatoon fire department was called on July 6 at 2:31 a.m. about smoke in the area of the 200 block of Avenue F North. When firefighters searched the home, they found Mcfadyen’s body.

Investigations are often complex and take time to gather the evidence necessary to pursue laying a charge.