Watson Lake murder victim identified as 36-year-old Andy Giraudel
'He was a great person. I have no idea how someone could do this to him'
People in Watson Lake, Yukon, are describing the victim of a murder and dismemberment as a well-liked man whose death has shaken the community.
Yukon RCMP and the territory's coroner's service positively identified 36-year-old Andy Giraudel through fingerprint and dental comparison, according to a police news release Tuesday.
Partial human remains were found at an industrial property outside Watson Lake on July 16. Travis Dennis, 22, is charged with second-degree murder and offering an indignity to human remains. RCMP say Dennis was known to the victim.
A court ban on publishing Giraudel's name was lifted on Tuesday morning.
Giraudel had lived in Watson Lake since early childhood. He worked as a cook and did other odd jobs.
"He was a great person," said friend Arielle Courtney Lee Deville. "I have no idea how someone could do this to him. I am very saddened right now. It's still so surreal."
Sherry Botterill, another Watson Lake resident, said last week that Giraudel's murder has shaken the community.
"He was a good friend of the First Nations community," Botterill said. "People are having nightmares."
"It has been a very trying week for the residents of Watson Lake," said Sgt. Cam Lockwood, with the Watson Lake RCMP in the news release.
Counsellors were in the community last week holding sessions for people who wanted to talk. Watson Lake RCMP have assured residents that they believe Dennis acted alone and said there is no further risk to the community.
Dennis is in custody and scheduled to appear in court Aug. 12.
With files from Philippe Morin