In a surprising turn of events, Leon Wokeley has pleaded guilty to the 2014 murder of Blueberry River First Nation member Pamela Napoleon.
Wokeley had been scheduled to go on trial for second degree murder this week, but will now await a July 15th pre-sentencing hearing.
News of the plea began to circulate among friends and family during the presentation of the National Inquiry in to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ final report this week.
Napoleon, a 42 year-old mother of two, vanished from he northeastern BC home in August of 2014.
Her remains were later discovered in a burned down cabin near the community.
Wokeley was charged with her murder, as well as arson, and interference with a dead body, in 2017.
Courts have called for a Gladue report, meaning Indigenous cultural considerations will be used in the sentencing.
