Two men arrested in 2021 death of woman in Saint John, N.B.

Two men have been charged in the death of a 27-year-old woman in Saint John, N.B., almost five years ago.

Courtney MacKenzie was reported missing on May 8, 2021. Police found her body at a home on Victoria Street on May 11.

At the time, police said her death was suspicious, and they were investigating it as indignity to a human body.

The Saint John Police Force says it arrested two men on Tuesday, following a “lengthy and complex investigation.”

“Courtney MacKenzie was not just a name on a file folder; she was a vibrant young woman whose life was taken far too soon,” said Saint John Police Force Chief R. M. Bruce in a statement. “The members of the Saint John Police never gave up on getting justice for her, her family, and friends.”

Police say a 39-year-old man is facing the following charges in connection with MacKenzie’s death, and “previous incidents where she was the victim”:

• manslaughter
• improperly interfering with human remains
• kidnapping
• forcible confinement
• assault with a weapon
• assault causing bodily harm
• assault

The man, who has not been named, was also arrested for robbery, forcible confinement and assault with a weapon for an alleged incident involving another female victim.

He appeared in provincial court Tuesday afternoon and was remanded into custody. He is due back in court on May 19.

A 40-year-old unnamed man is facing charges of being an accessory after the fact and improperly interfering with human remains in connection with MacKenzie’s death.

These are the latest arrests in the case. Police previously arrested a 34-year-old woman for improperly interfering with human remains in April 2023.

Police say he will be released on an undertaking with conditions and will appear in provincial court at a later date.

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