Police discover remains of homicide victim in Longview
RCMP say they have recovered the remains of homicide victim Nicholas Lush, who leaves behind a wife and three young children.
Mounties said a police dog unit made the discovery Monday while searching the Longview area west of High River, but they could not immediately identify the victim.
Using fingerprint analysis, the medical examiner concluded Wednesday that officers had discovered Lush’s remains, more than a week after he was last seen alive.
Lush, a 32- year- old father of three, had been reported missing and was last seen leaving a house party in the Springbank area with two people in the early morning of March 29.
According to Lush’s family, he had been in a fight with someone at the party and was asked to leave.
Later that day, RCMP were called to an overpass southwest of Cochrane following reports of an assault. The assailants and victim were no longer at the scene when officers arrived, but Mounties believe the assault was connected to Lush’s death.
Two Alberta men were arrested in Cranbrook, B. C., early Sunday and charged with first- degree murder. They had been in a car matching the description of a vehicle that officers had been looking for, according to RCMP.
Lush was a seasonal construction worker and a happy, hands- on dad to his children, aged six, nine and 11, says Dana Heald, a family spokeswoman. They were told Easter Monday that their father wasn’t coming home.
Cody Kenneth Bauer, 24, of Calgary, and Kristopher Goerzen, 22, of Brooks, have been charged with first- degree murder. They are to appear in Cochrane provincial court later this month: Goerzen on April 14 and Bauer on April 21.
According to court documents, Bauer has been previously been convicted of causing a disturbance and possession of stolen property.
Lush’s previous convictions include assault with a weapon and drug possession.
An online fundraiser has been established to raise money for Lush’s wife and children.