Man charged with first degree murder after Chatham house fire
![Bayli Sellars Bayli Sellars. (Source: McKinlay Funeral Home)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/28/bayli-sellars-1-6903849-1716919204520.jpg)
A 48-year-old man has been charged with first degree murder in the death of a 22-year-old woman in Chatham.
On June 25, 2022, around 3:50 a.m., Chatham-Kent Emergency crews were called to attend 149 Edgar Street for a residential fire.
Police say responding emergency personnel located 22-year-old resident Bayli Sellars deceased.
An investigation commenced into the origin of the fire and to determine the cause of Sellars death. Since receiving the initial call, multiple agencies have been involved with this investigation including members from the Chatham-Kent Fire Department, Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office, Regional Coroner’s Office, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) and members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
On May 7, 2024, as a result of a thorough investigation, a Canada Wide Warrant was issued for the arrest of 48-year-old David William Thomas.
On Friday May 24, 2024, investigators from the Chatham-Kent Police Service along with members of the R.C.M.P located and arrested Thomas in Fanny Bay, B.C.
The accused made an initial court appearance while in British Columbia and has since been transported to Chatham-Kent.
On Tuesday, Thomas made an appearance in Chatham Court and was remanded into custody.
Thomas has been charged with first degree murder, five counts of arson-disregard for human life, indignity to a body and arson – fraudulent purpose.
His next court date is scheduled for June 11, 2024.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Const. Brad Hyatt at 519-436-6600 Ext. 288 or bradh@chatham-kent.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978861.1722008569!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
At least 4 buildings burned at Jasper Park Lodge, others damaged: Fairmont memo
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge said Thursday afternoon most of its structures are "standing and intact," including its iconic main lodge.
Major Canadian bank dealing with direct deposit outage on pay day
Scotiabank has acknowledged technical difficulties affecting direct deposits as clients report missed payments Friday morning. On Friday morning, the bank's client services phone line was playing an automated message assuring customers that work was underway to rectify the outage.
Reported rate of child pornography increased 52% in 2023, total crime up 3%: Statistics Canada
Last year, reported child pornography cases increased by more than 50 per cent in Canada, in part due to more cases being sent to police by specialized internet child exploitation units, according to a Statistics Canada report.
Elon Musk's estranged daughter calls out his 'entirely fake' claims about her childhood
Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon Musk's estranged daughter, publicly refuted several recent anti-trans statements her Tesla CEO and X owner father has made about her.
Federal government posts $3.9B deficit in April, May
The result for the April-to-May period compared to a $1.5 billion surplus for the same stretch last year.
What we know about 'malicious' attack on French train network ahead of Olympics opening
French transport was thrust into chaos Friday just hours ahead of the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony after a series of co-ordinated 'malicious acts' upended high-speed train lines.Here's what happened and what we know so far.
Canada Soccer head investigating 'systemic ethical shortcoming' amid spying scandal
Canada Soccer chief executive officer Kevin Blue said he was investigating a potential 'systemic ethical shortcoming' within the program but has not considered pulling the women's soccer team from the Paris Olympics due to a drone spying scandal.
Suspected train sabotage, bad weather dampen spirits ahead of Paris opening ceremony
The Paris Olympics are getting off to a rough start, with suspected acts of sabotage targeting France's flagship high-speed rail network.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.