Three arrested in connection with double homicide

Two Niagara residents face murder charges following a lengthy investigation into the deaths of two St. Catharines people whose remains were found in January in cottage country.

On Jan. 21, Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report of human remains discovered in Highlands East Township in Haliburton County.

The remains were later identified as those of Deidra Ann Smith, 35, and Ghislain (Justin) Robichaud, 34, both residents of St. Catharines.

An autopsy determined both were victims of foul play.

In a news release issued Wednesday, the OPP reported three people have been arrested in connection with the double homicide.

Charged with two counts each of second-degree murder and committing an indignity to human remains are Jesse James Wallace, 36, and Lindsay Elisabeth Luise Ainsworth, 37, both of St. Catharines.

A third person, Alexis Adele Yorke, 36, also of St. Catharines, is charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder.

The trio appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Wednesday. They are scheduled to return to court later this month to answer to the charges.

The Haliburton Highlands detachment of the OPP continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murders and has launched a tip line. Anyone with information on the matter can call 1-844-677-5010 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS.