Thunder Bay Police lay 2nd murder charge in Richard Spence homicide

Thunder Bay Police have charged a second person in the death of 62-year-old Richard Spence.

Police said 39-year-old Daniel Debassige was arrested and charged with second-degree-murder. Police said he is the boyfriend of Monica Spence, 45, who is also facing a second degree murder charge.

Richard Spence was the city's 11th homicide victim of 2014. Officers found him dead in the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 20 in a home on Secord Street. Police said alcohol was a factor in the incident.

Police said further investigation into Spence's death led them to another Secord Street residence, where Debassige was arrested on New Year's Day.

Debassige remains in custody after a court appearance Friday.

Thunder Bay Police also said a post-mortem examination on Richard Spence was completed before Christmas, but the cause of death is not being released.