News release
49-year-old man found guilty in connection with 2024 homicide
June 15, 2026
-
Esgenoopetitj First Nation, New Brunswick
From: New Brunswick RCMP
On this page
Content
A 49-year-old man from Maine, USA, has been found guilty in connection with a homicide which prompted an Alert Ready in Esgenoopetitj First Nation, N.B.
On September 5, 2024, at 3:59 p.m. an Alert Ready message was issued advising residents of the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area to remain inside with doors locked, and for others to avoid the area. The Alert Ready was initiated after a 48-year-old man was found dead and another man injured, following a firearm-related incident.
Nearly 24-hours later, after extensive searches conducted by several police officers and investigators, at approximately 2:20 p.m. on September 6, 2024, members of the RCMP police dog services (PDS) and Emergency Response Team (ERT) located and arrested a then-47-year-old man from Maine, USA, in connection with the incident.
On September 11, 2024, Keith Martin appeared in Miramichi Provincial Court and was charged with second-degree murder.
On June 11, 2026, following a 23-day trial, Keith Martin was found guilty by members of the jury for the second-degree murder of Mark Dwayne Mitchell and for the attempted murder of Sylvio Savoie.
He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on September 15, 2026.
The New Brunswick RCMP would like to thank the members of the Tracadie and Neguac RCMP detachments, as well as the several specialized units, teams, and organizations who assisted with the Alert Ready and the subsequent investigation.