RCMP ‘ closer’ to finding slain father
Two charged with murder in man’s disappearance after house party
RCMP are searching areas southwest of Calgary for the body of a missing father of three who was last seen on March 29.
Two men were arrested in Cranbrook, B. C. on Sunday and charged Monday with first- degree murder in connection with the disappearance of Calgarian Nicholas Lush, 32.
While Lush’s body has not yet been recovered, RCMP Insp. Gibson Glavin said he’s confident investigators will find Lush’s remains.
“The evidence that we’ve collected since the arrest of the two accused has brought us much, much closer to locating Mr. Lush’s body,” he said.
Lush, a father of three who worked in construction, was last seen leaving a house party in the Springbank area with two people in the early morning of March 29.
Mounties were called to an overpass southwest of Cochrane later that day for reports of an assault, which RCMP believe was connected to Lush’s death.
The two young men who have been charged with first- degree murder in connection to Lush’s disappearance were arrested without incident in Cranbrook, B. C. early Sunday.
Glavin said officials conducted several searches in areas southwest of Calgary on Monday.
Evidence collected on Monday is being processed and Glavin said officials will continue searching until Lush’s body is recovered.
“His body is still a significant piece of evidence,” Glavin said.
“Sadly, we know that he has been killed. We need to know that we have his body.”
Cody Kenneth Bauer, 24, of Calgary and Kristopher Goerzen, 22, of Brooks have been charged with first- degree murder. Both have co- operated with investigators, according to Glavin.
Glavin said it’s not uncommon for officials to pursue a first- degree murder charge and conviction without a body, but noted it’s “much easier to prove death and cause of death,” with a body.
Bauer is scheduled to appear in Cochrane provincial court on April 21, and Goerzen is scheduled to appear in Cochrane provincial court on April 14.
Court documents reveal that Bauer has prior convictions in Alberta for causing a disturbance and possession of stolen property.
Lush had prior criminal convictions including assault with a weapon and drug possession.
Lush’s friends have described him as a dedicated father and avid fishermen, and an online fundraiser has been established to raise money for Lush’s wife and three children, ages six, nine and 11