SUDBURY -- The brother and estranged wife of a Killarney man found dead on a trail on Oct. 25 have been charged with his murder, police confirm.

Melissa Sheridan, 39, of Sudbury, and Kerry Burke, 58, of Killarney, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Brant Burke, 56, also of Killarney. 

The man was killed in the morning of Oct. 25 in what police describe as a "sudden death incident" on a trail, in Point Grondine Reserve, off Highway 637, Killarney. A post-mortem examination was conducted in Sudbury and the cause of death was confirmed to be as a result of a firearm related injury.

"It was later determined that the incident location was within the Wikwemikong First Nation Territory," Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Thursday afternoon.

"A joint forces investigation was conducted by Wikwemikong Tribal Police, with the assistance of the Nipissing West OPP Crime Unit, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the OPP Forensic Identification Service under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch."

Kerry Burke was charged Nov. 24, while Sheridan was charged Nov. 25. An obituary for the victim last month listed his wife as Melissa Sheridan and his brother as Kerry Burke.

"The accused are being held in custody and scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice-Bail Court (video conferencing) on Dec. 8, 2020, in Sudbury," police said.

The investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000. 

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

Correction:

The first-degree murder charge against Melissa Sheridan was dropped by the Crown July 26, 2022.