Dean Tiessen slaying suspect arrested in Brazil
Brazilian police have arrested a man in the 2013 death of Canadian businessman Dean Tiessen, who was shot and killed while in Brazil, CBC News has confirmed.
Military police in Brazil on Monday confirmed to CBC News that one of two suspects in the roadside slaying has been arrested.
Tiessen, who was the president of the Leamington, Ont.,-based New Energy Farms, was in Brazil for a business trip.
The father of four was shot and killed in an attempted carjacking in December 2013, outside Sao Paulo.
Police say the suspect is a known drug dealer who lives in a favela near the scene of the killing. A favela is a Brazilian slum.
Police say they acted on a tip called into a crime hotline. The caller said they knew who killed Tiessen, police say.
According to police, they identified the suspect selling drugs in the woods near the scene. Police officers hid in the same woods and arrested the suspect during an alleged drug deal.
The 25-year-old suspect says he is innocent and that it was his friend who shot and killed Tiessen. Witnesses told the police in 2013 two men were part of the attack.
Police are still looking for a second suspect.
Tiessen's family is aware of reports of an arrest but has not heard anything official and declined comment.
In a written statement emailed to CBC News, the Department of Foreign Affairs said its "thoughts and deepest sympathies continue to be with the family" and it is aware of reports of the arrest.
The department confirmed Canadian consular officials in Sao Paolo are in contact with Brazilian authorities to provide information. But out of respect for the family, it won't be releasing further details.
