A 31-year-old man from Hemmingford who was arrested last week in connection with the disappearance of his partner, Kelsey Watt, was formally charged with her murder on Wednesday.
Nicholas Gravel appeared at the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield courthouse to face a charge of second-degree murder. He appeared by videoconference from the Bordeaux Prison in Montreal, where he is currently being held.
Gravel was initially charged last week with committing an indignity to a human body, after Watt’s remains were recovered from a wooded area near their home on Covey Hill Road. According to a report by the CBC, the Crown received a stay of proceedings for the lesser charge.
The second-degree murder charge alleges Gravel committed his crime at some point between Sept. 15 and Sept. 21.
The Sûreté du Québec issued a public call to locate Watt on Sept. 21, after her family reported she was missing. A massive search effort took place over five days before the 29-year-old’s body was found.
Several members of the victim’s family were present for Wednesday’s hearing. A vigil took place outside the courthouse earlier in the day that was attended by several organizations related to the prevention of violence against women.
Gravel is expected to return to court on December 16 and has been ordered not to communicate with 10 potential witnesses while his case is pending.
A publication ban that had previously prevented the naming of the accused, his victim, and a minor was lifted on Wednesday.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for the Watt family during this difficult time.