Two charged with first-degree murder, arson in northern Ont.

An OPP logo is seen in this file photo.

A man and a woman from Blind River have been charged with first-degree murder and a third person has been charged with accessory to murder after the fact.

In a news release Friday, Ontario Provincial Police said the three are charged in connection with the death of Dwayne Kozuch, 51, whose remains were recovered in a residence following a fire Feb. 6, 2023, on Mississagi Bay Road in Huron Shores.

The fire was deemed suspicious, police said.

"The East Algoma OPP crime unit, under the direction of the OPP criminal investigation branch, continued the investigation, with assistance from the OPP's forensic identification services unit in conjunction with the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service," the release said.

That investigation led to the three arrests Jan. 9.

The male and female suspects, both 28 and from Blind River, are charged with first-degree murder, arson with disregard for human life and arson causing damage to property.

They remain in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Feb. 6.

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A 42-year-old woman from Blind River is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, arson with disregard for human life and arson causing damage to property.

She remains in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Friday.

Anyone with any information that may help the investigation, is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.