The RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) has laid a charge in relation to the death of a man in Stettler which occurred on April 6, 2018.
In the early evening of April 6 an investigation was launched when the Stetter RCMP Detachment determined that there was a deceased male inside a residence and the circumstances of his death appeared to be suspicious. Information was released that the RCMP was trying to locate his truck. MCU took carriage of the death investigation.
On April 7 the victim’s truck was located near Wetaskiwin. A traffic stop was conducted and four people were arrested roadside. One of the males arrested in the truck was transported to an Edmonton Hospital where he received medical assistance. Three other subjects were released with no charges.
An autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary on April 10. It was determined that the manner of death was homicide.
On April 10 in the early afternoon, 51-year-old John Roland Savage of Stettler was arrested at an Edmonton hospital by MCU. He was placed into police custody and taken to Strathcona County Detachment. Savage is facing one charge of Second Degree Murder in the death of 70-year-old James Hulkovich of Stettler.
A judicial interim release hearing has been held and he is scheduled to appear in court in Stettler on April 26.
Details in relation to the nature of the homicide and the investigation by MCU will not be released as that information is before the courts.
The Stettler RCMP can confirm that John Savage was arrested in the early morning hours of April 6 and was taken to the Stettler Hospital where he was placed under the watch of the Hospital security. He was reported to have fled the hospital in the afternoon on April 6.
