Sussex Man Charged After RCMP Finds Body of 81-Year-Old Deceased Woman

A 51-year-old Sussex man has been charged after RCMP discovered the body of a woman inside a residence. It's believed the deceased woman was a family member of the man who lived in the same home.

Police said, they went to the home on September 30, 2015 to do a wellness check on the 81-year-old woman who lived in the home after receiving a report that she had not been seen for several weeks.

Police also said, they have not yet been able to positively identify the woman but at this point it is believed to be her. It is also believed that she died in the residence sometime between August 13 and September 30. After discovering the body, police arrested the male resident.

Edward James Firth appeared in Saint John Provincial Court on October 1 and was charged with failing to report the death of the woman. He was sent for a 30-day psychological assessment and is scheduled to appear back in court on November 3, according to police.

An autopsy has been conducted. The exact cause of the woman’s death has not yet been determined, said police. They are continuing to investigate the cause of death.