News release
Alert Ready cancelled, RCMP still searching for suspect
October 13, 2026
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Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick
From: New Brunswick RCMP
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Update October 20, 2026: On October 19, 2026, the New Brunswick RCMP has arrested a third person in connection with the homicide of Hayven Francis.
38-year-old Brian Christmas, from the community of Elsipogtog First Nation was arrested on October 19, 2026, and appeared in Moncton Provincial Court the same day. He was charged with first degree murder and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to reappear in court on October 26, 2026.
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Update October 18, 2026: On October 17, 2026, the New Brunswick RCMP arrested a 35-year-old woman from Elsipogtog in connection with the homicide investigation.
On October 18, Kelsey Clair appeared in Moncton Provincial Court via tele-remand and was charged with accessory after the fact of murder. She was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on October 20, 2026.
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The 27-year-old man that was arrested on October 16, 2026, appeared in Montreal Provincial Court on October 17 via tele-remand. Abdel Alcheikh Houri, of Ottawa Ontario, was charged with first degree murder. He was remanded into custody and will be transported to New Brunswick to appear in Moncton Provincial Court at a future date.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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Update October 16, 2026: The New Brunswick RCMP has arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the homicide investigation of 21-year-old Hayven Francis. The man was arrested on October 16, 2026, at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport as he was preparing to board a flight destined for Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Montréal on October 17, 2026. The investigation remains ongoing.
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Correction. The victim was 21 years old. We apologize for this error.
Update, October 15, 2026: The New Brunswick RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is now releasing the name of the victim in the October 13, 2026, homicide in Elsipogtog First Nation. He has been identified as 21-year-old Hayven Francis. Police believe that this was a targeted incident and that there is no further risk to the public. The investigation is ongoing.
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The New Brunswick RCMP has cancelled the Alert Ready for the Elsipogtog First Nation area, but police are still searching for a man in connection with the incident.
On October 13, 2026, at 1:50 a.m., members of the Elsipogtog RCMP detachment responded to a report of a man who had been shot outside a residence on Ball Park Street, in the community of Elsipogtog First Nation. When police arrived, they discovered the body of a deceased man. The New Brunswick RCMP's Major Crime Unit has determined the man's death to be a homicide.
At approximately 2:35 a.m., the New Brunswick RCMP issued an Alert Ready message to advise residents of Elsipogtog First Nation and surrounding areas to remain inside with doors locked, and others to avoid the area, while police searched for a man who was believed to be armed and dangerous. At this time, no description of the man is available.
At 6:15 a.m. the same day, an updated Alert Ready message was issued advising that residents in the area may now exit their homes and resume their normal activities. At this time, police believe there is no longer a threat to the general public. Residents can expect an increased police presence in the area as police continue their investigation.
Police are encouraging residents to remain vigilant, and to report anything unusual to 911 immediately. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the New Brunswick RCMP at 1-888-506-7267.
The investigation is ongoing.