THUNDER BAY - A judge will determine if there is enough evidence to commit three people to stand trial on first-degree murder charges for the 2018 death of 25-year-old Ashley Chantal McKay.
A preliminary hearing opened on Monday for 37-year-old Marlene Lou Kwandibens, 21-year-old Terryl Nicole Irene Michon, and 24-year-old Darren Steven Oombash.
The hearing is scheduled to conclude on Friday and Crown attorney Trevor Jukes began calling witnesses on Monday before Justice Wilson.
Thunder Bay Police were called to an apartment on the 200 block of Cumming Street at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2018.
McKay’s body was located inside the apartment and police determined her death was a homicide.
The same day, police arrested Kwandibens, Michon, and Oombash and charged them with first-degree murder. A fourth male was also arrested and charged with first-degree murder but following further investigation, the charge was dropped and he was released unconditionally.
The three accused remain in custody. There is a publication ban in place on all evidence presented during the preliminary hearing.
