Two men charged in murder of Red Deer man

Two Red Deer men have been arrested in connection with the killing of a man who was found in a ditch near Raven two weeks ago.

RCMP Major Crimes branch laid charges — including one count of first degree murder — against the accused for the homicide of Sheldon Mark Hiller.

Police say both suspects are known to police and knew the victim.

Both men are behind bars.

Hiller was found slain on April 17 in a northside ditch along Hwy 54, about three km west of Raven. The tiny community is 12 km west of Spruce View. A passerby saw what may have been human remains and called RCMP.

Police have not released information on whether Hiller, 46, was killed in the ditch or dumped there.

Hiller, a widower, had lived in Red Deer for about five years. He had worked as a neon sign repairman but was laid off a couple of months ago.

His brother, Manville Hiller, also of Red Deer, learned from police on Thursday that arrests were being made.

“I am happy and relieved because it kind of takes the pressure off,” said another brother, Roger Hiller, from Hussar on Friday.

“We thought it would drag on for a while, but the RCMP did a good job at apprehending these (suspects).”

RCMP say the investigation continues.

Sgt. Patrick Webb, RCMP spokesman for the Southern Alberta District, said the arrests came after two weeks of solid investigation.

“In these investigations, there is so much work done on finding out the activities of the victim,” Webb said. “What did he do, who did he talk to . . . everyone who victim knows. It involves talking to tons of people.”

RCMP are also looking for anyone who might have seen a gold-coloured Lincoln car during the night of April 16, near where the body was found.

People are urged to call Innisfail RCMP at 227-3342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Webb said the car model and colour is relatively unique.

“We want to find out if anyone had spoken with the driver or saw the vehicle,” Webb said. “The vehicle was involved somehow.”

Larry Allen Scott, 51, will appear in Red Deer provincial court on Tuesday morning on charges of first-degree murder, extortion, uttering threats and assault.

Charles Richard Beckett, 47, is set to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Monday morning on one count of accessory after the fact to murder.

Contact Laura Tester at ltester@reddeeradvocate.com