VPD arrest suspect in murder of SFU prof
Vancouver police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old man in connection with the murder of a Simon Fraser University professor and scientist.
Melanie O'Neill was found dead in her apartment in the 100-block of W. 13th Avenue in Vancouver on July 26. Police say she was murdered July 22.
Matthew Scott, 25, was arrested March 3 and has been charged with second-degree murder, said Vancouver Police Department Det. Paul Dungey in a press release Monday.
O'Neill, 37, was a chemistry professor at SFU where she was a researcher in biophysical chemistry and chemical biology.
"She was a gifted researcher and won numerous awards related to her field. Her death is a loss to her family, friends and the academic community," Dungey said.
The investigation involved more than 40 officers from the Vancouver, Port Moody, Delta, Abbotsford, Saanich and Victoria police departments, as well as the Behavioural Sciences Group of the RCMP.
Early on in the investigation, officers focused on Scott, who had an on-and-off relationship with O’Neill, said Dungey.
"They worked tirelessly to implement various investigative strategies to gather evidence to charge Scott with this offence, which culminated in the charge of 2nd degree murder announced today."
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