SAULT STE. MARIE — Scott Devlin is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with the homicide at an apartment building in the 700 block of Pine Street.
Police said the 52-year-old is wanted on a warrant for second degree murder and indignity to a dead body.
The suspect, who was reported missing on June 18, is now believed to have been involved in a homicide which was discovered on June 19, at a multi-unit residence building in the 700 block of Pine Street in Sault Ste. Marie, police said.
Steve Devlin, the suspect’s brother, said the warrant was a shocking development to his family.
“We didn't think he was involved, despite the obvious coincidence in terms of the timing between his disappearing and the discovery of Mikaila's body,” said Steve in a statement to SooToday.
“I was told this morning that the warrant was issued and that media would be informed, but yes, it's still shocking.”
The family last saw Scott on June 17 at around 8:30 a.m., when he left their apartment to apparently go to work.
It was just two days later that the body of Mikaila Straatsma, the 30-year-old victim, was found in her apartment just down the hallway from where Scott and his family live.
At the time, Steve said he could not see a connection between his brother’s disappearance and Straatsma’s death.
As SooToday reported on Aug. 27, police were inside Devlin's apartment before announcing in a news release that they had issued a warrant in connection with the murder.
The suspect was last seen on June 17, the same day he disappeared, in the area of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and may still be in the Greater Toronto Area.
Devlin is approximately 5’10” with a thin/medium build and blonde hair.
He has tattoos of a panther and the word “sinner” on one arm and the word “saint” on the other.
Speculation about Devlin’s involvement grew over the summer months, particularly after a number of historical Sault Star articles came to light detailing his criminal past in the 1990s.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to contact Sault Ste. Marie Police Service by calling (705) 949-6300.
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (705) 942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477. You can also click here to submit a web-tip or download the P3 app.
When asked by SooToday, police said they cannot share further details on Devlin's connection to the homicide to in order to "protect the integrity of the investigation."
"Investigators have been working diligently on this investigation from the onset and recently discovered information that links the wanted person to the incident," said Lincoln Louttit, corporate communications manager with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
According to police information, Devlin flew from Sault Ste. Marie to Toronto, "and that is the last time they have been seen," Louttit said.