Whitecourt RCMP said their investigation into a weekend homicide that left a well-known outreach worker dead, has confirmed the slaying was not a hate crime.
RCMP said an autopsy was conducted on the victim, 49-year-old Dolan Badger on Monday.
Police said in a press release that their investigation has found no weapons were used to cause the injuries Badger suffered.
Investigators said evidence had confirmed what police said immediately following the death, that the murder was not a hate crime.
Officers were called to reports of a disturbance in a home in the town of Whitecourt at about 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12.
They arrived to find Badger suffering from visible injuries – he was treated on the scene and then rushed to hospital in Whitecourt, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
William Kootenay, 22, was arrested at the scene – and remains in custody. His next court appearance has been scheduled for Jan. 22.
After news of the murder broke, RCMP said the victim and Kootenay knew each other through family and friends.
Badger was a well-known outreach worker with the HIV Network of Edmonton.
RCMP are still investigating.
