Juan Checkel, accused in Gen Auger murder, tried to kill himself
A man accused of killing his landlady and setting her house on fire tried to kill himself at the Edmonton Remand Centre on Monday, CBC News has learned.
Juan Checkel used a razor to slash himself repeatedly. Staff found the 24-year-old bleeding heavily in his cell.
- Woman's body found after house fire
Checkel was rushed to hospital, stabilized and returned to the remand centre later that day. He was moved from the general population into a secure isolation cell until he can be evaluated by a psychologist.
Sources told CBC News that police flagged Checkel as a suicide risk when they brought him to the remand centre. Despite that, he was placed in a regular cell and given a razor for shaving.
Michelle Davio, a spokeswoman for the Alberta Solicitor General, confirmed that an inmate attempted suicide at the Edmonton Remand Centre on Monday but privacy considerations prevent her from releasing the name and the age of the person involved.
Davio said there will be an internal review of the incident.
Checkel is charged with first-degree murder, arson and possession of a knife and hammer in the death of Genevieve [Gen] Auger.
Police said Auger, 32, was beaten and stabbed to death.
Her body was found after crews extinguished a fire at her west-end bungalow on Oct. 1. Police allege the fire was an attempt to cover up a murder.
Checkel is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday via closed circuit television.
