Man, 27, sought after Fredericton professor slain
The New Brunswick RCMP appealed to the public Friday for help finding a 27-year-old man, Nicholas Wade Baker, who is wanted in the homicide of university professor John McKendy.
McKendy, 60, a St. Thomas University sociology professor, was found dead in his home in Douglas, a community near Fredericton, early Friday morning. It was not immediately clear how he died.
The RCMP in Oromocto said that they were called to the house on Robby Street at 5 a.m. They also said a woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries in connection with the case.
Baker has family in South Carolina, said the RCMP, who have alerted the Canada Border Services Agency to watch out for him.
Police conducted a search of the Fredericton area for Baker but have so far been unable to locate him.
"Anybody involved in such a crime, obviously when we are saying they are a suspect, they should be considered armed and dangerous," Cpl. Claude Tremblay said.
Baker is described as being about five-foot-eight with a slim build. Police have discovered both a car and a van registered to the student, and are unsure if he was using either to travel.
Michael Higgins, president and vice-chancellor of St. Thomas University, released a statement about McKendy's death.
"John came to St. Thomas University in 1974, and in his research was focused on social inequality, sociological theory, and the sociology of religion and work," Higgins said.
"His commitment to learning was exemplified by his passion for teaching in the Aquinas program and the contribution he made to our collaborative teaching environment."
According to McKendy's university website, his research interests were social inequality and social justice, gender and social class, the sociology of emotions and violence, and social structure.
"He had a great commitment to social justice that came out in his teaching and in his community work — his community work in Africa and his community work here locally," said Patrick Malcolmson, vice-president academic at the Fredericton school.
The university had its campus ministry and grief counsellors deployed to provide assistance to anyone requesting it. Additionally, it held a vigil at 4 p.m. at the campus chapel.