Simone Sanderson homicide arrest made by Winnipeg police

Winnipeg police have made an arrest in the death ofSimoneSanderson, whose body was found in the city's North End almost four years ago.

KyllanJamesEllis, 28, ofLorette, Man., has been charged with second-degree murder, the Winnipeg Police Serviceannounced Tuesday.

Deputy Chief DannySmythsaidinvestigators believeSanderson, 23, was killed after an argument between her and Ellis became violent.

"Indigenous women and girls are too often the victims of serious crimes, and I think it's important for our community to recognize this fact. I think it's time we stand with the Indigenous community to denounce the violence,"Smythtold reporters in Winnipeg.

"SimoneSandersonmattered. She's missed by her family and friends, and certainly our investigators have done everything in their power to ensure this investigation was done thoroughly and competently so thatSimoneSandersonand her family can find justice."

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Sandersonwas last seen alive on Aug. 26, 2012. Her body was found at the southwest corner of Burrows Avenue and Main Street on Sept. 2, 2012.

Days later, police declared her death a homicide, but have never said how she died until today.Smythsaid the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

"In the early morning hours of Aug. 27, police believe Ellis was driving his vehicle in the area of Main and Burrows. It's believed that he encountered Simone Sanderson on the street. Investigators believe that Simone Sanderson and Kyllan Ellis didn't know each other prior to the encounter," Smyth said.

Investigators believe the two got into a confrontation that escalated into physical violence,resulting inSanderson'sdeath,Smythsaid.

He added thatSanderson'sbody was found in an empty loton the southwest corner of Main and Burrows and was covered withcardboard.

Sanderson's family is scheduled to hold a news conference at Burrows and Main on Thursday.

Family members disputepolice investigators' claims that Sanderson worked in the sex trade and was picked up by a john. Theyhired aprivate investigator in the hopes of uncovering their ownleads in the 3-year-oldcase.

Public helped solve case, police say

Sgt. Wes Rommel, the Winnipeg Police Service's lead investigator on the case, said policefirst suspected Ellis's involvement inSanderson'sdeath in January 2014.

Earlier this month, Rommel saidDNA evidence had been recovered "at more than one" location near whereSanderson'sbody was found.

At that time, hereleased a descriptionof a small, two-door, older model car that investigatorsbelieved the suspect was driving in the hopes that someone would come forward with information.

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On Tuesday, Rommel said Ellis has a car matching the description given.

He added that when Ellis was arrested on Monday night, police obtained a DNA sample from him that iscurrently being analyzed and compared to the DNA found during the investigation.

"I can certainly say that members of the public coming forward was critical in solving this case," Rommel said.

"There is no doubt about that. Had that not occurred, we wouldn't be here today."