OPP extradites murder suspect from Germany

Ontario Provincial Police officers are shown in uniform in this undated image. (File photo/CTV News)

A fourth individual has been arrested, extradited to Canada and charged in connection with a fatal 2023 fire in northern Ontario that was later determined to be a homicide.

Ontario Provincial Police announced the new development in the case in a news release on Wednesday – a new break in an “extensive” international investigation that began over two years ago.

On Feb. 6, 2023, at about 9 a.m., emergency crews responded to a suspicious fire involving a residence and a vehicle on Mississagi Bay Road in Huron Shores. Inside the home, the remains of 51-year-old Dwayne Kozuch were discovered.

A postmortem examination conducted by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service later determined Kozuch’s cause of death was a gunshot wound.

Three initially charged, fourth suspect sought

Following the investigation, OPP charged three individuals from Blind River on Jan. 9, 2025. All three were charged with arson-related offences. One of them was additionally charged with first-degree murder.

Police said a fourth suspect was subsequently identified and a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued based on evidence suggesting the individual had fled the province and potentially the country.

International cooperation leads to arrest

With assistance from the RCMP, Interpol and various other police and government agencies in Canada and abroad, the wanted individual was located and arrested in the Federal Republic of Germany in May 2025.

The 33-year-old Ottawa man was the subject of legal proceedings abroad before an extradition order was granted. He was returned to Canadian custody on Aug. 29.

“This arrest would not have been possible without the exceptional cooperation, dedication and coordination of our local, national and international partners,” said St. Pierre. “Their collective efforts were instrumental in ensuring that this individual was brought to justice.”

The accused has been charged with first-degree murder, arson with disregard for human life and arson causing damage to property.

The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court virtually on Sept. 4.

Still an ongoing investigation

Police say the OPP investigation is continuing in conjunction with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.