Updated: Arrest Made in Roger Byer Homicide Case

An arrest has been made in relation to the death of a former Swift Current man in 2010.

RCMP have announced that 57-year-old Daniel Smith of the Ruthilda area, southwest of Biggar, was arrested without incident at Holdfast Wednesday morning, and was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the homicide of Roger Byer. Smith appeared in a Saskatoon courtroom this morning and was remanded into custody pending his next appearance on May 27th.

Byer went missing in January 2010 and was found dead near Melfort two months later. His death was ruled as a result of foul play, but no arrests had been made as Mounties put another call out for information on the case last week.

RCMP say that assistance from the public, as well as the plea from Roger Byer's family did assist in the investigation, and are expressing their thanks to the public and media, saying that without their involvement, they would not have received the information to aid their investigation and arrest a suspect.

They add that Byer and Smith were known to each other and were considered friends, saying that Smith is employed in the field of agriculture. Police say that Smith is linked to the black, heavy-duty, work truck that was in the area at the time of Byer's disappearance, and the vehicle has been seized and is being considered as evidence.

RCMP are continuing the investigation into the murder of Roger Byer, but say that sufficient evidence has been gathered to date to support the fact that they have custody of the person responsible for his death.