BC RCMP Major Crime announced on Wednesday that the Southeast District Major Crime Unit has secured criminal charges against Philip Toner in connection to the death of Brenda Ware, whose body was discovered in Kootenay National Park in Southeastern BC late last week.

Police can now confirm that Toner, 41, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder in relation to the homicide of 35-year-old Ware. 

Toner, who was located by the Lake Country RCMP on Tuesday, appeared in Kelowna Provincial Law Courts on Wednesday morning where the BC Prosecution Service secured a seven-day remand in order to have him transported back to Alberta.

BC RCMP, in consultation with the BC Prosecution Service, liaised with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service to lay the official charge in Alberta courts, as police alleged the offence was carried out in Alberta.

“Although a charge has now been laid in relation to this complex, inter-provincial criminal investigation, the investigation is still very much active and ongoing at this time, we continue to share Toner’s photo in an effort to advance the investigation,” said Acting Officer-In-Charge (A/OIC) Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon of the BC RCMP Major Crime Section.

He said: “We renew our previous public plea for information, and ask that anyone who may have had contact with Philip Toner between May 4, 2021, and May 11, 2021, in either British Columbia or Alberta, to come forward immediately. Furthermore, we ask anyone who may have provided or offered a ride to anyone hitch-hiking between Columbia Valley BC and Lake Country BC to come forward as well. You may have information that is of value to the investigation.” 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Southeast District Major Crime Unit Information Line at 1-877-987-8477.