MONCTON, N.B. - RCMP in New Brunswick have charged the boyfriend of a woman with first-degree murder in her death, more than two months after the 25-year-old woman's body was found in a wooded area.
Police have charged 32-year-old Fred Prosser of Shenstone in the death of Sabrina Patterson, who lived in Riverview.
Patterson was reported missing on Oct. 31 and her body was found in a wooded area in Shenstone, near Moncton, a week later.
Prosser also faces three sexual assault charges and two counts of breaching court orders, all in connection with Patterson.
Prosser appeared in provincial court in Moncton on Monday. Crown prosecutor Annie St. Jacques said he waived a bail hearing.
She said all the charges related to incidents that are alleged to have happened between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4, 2010.
Prosser sat quietly and made no comment during his brief court appearance.
Patterson and Prosser have two children.
Police classified the case as a homicide, but didn't name a suspect in Patterson's death until Prosser was charged.
Patterson was last seen Oct. 29 at the Moncton Coliseum. Her car was later found at the Riverview Mall.
Shortly after police notified the public of Patterson's disappearance, they also announced that Prosser was missing.
He was last seen Nov. 1 but showed up at his parents' residence three days later.
RCMP Cpl. Dan Roy said it has been a complex investigation.
"We've assembled a team of investigators that have worked from Day One on this investigation and the evidence has led them to lay a charge of first-degree murder," he told reporters.
Prosser is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 28.
