Musquash man charged with manslaughter after missing woman found dead

A 31-year-old Musquash man has been charged in the death of 26-year-old Sarah Teakles, who was reported missing by RCMP last week.

Calvin Burns-Smith was charged in Saint John court Tuesday with manslaughter and indignity to human remains. He was also scheduled to appear on a separate charge of uttering threats. 

Burns-Smith was already in custody after being arrested by the Saint John Police Force on unrelated matters, the New Brunswick RCMP said Tuesday. 

Teakles was found deceased in Maces Bay on Thursday, the Mounties previously said, after being reported missing on April 14.

Police said she had been last seen in Musquash, about 30 kilometres west of Saint John. She was reported missing the same day, and police said her family was concerned about her well-being.  

"On April 17, the Major Crime Unit took carriage of the investigation, and the woman's vehicle was located the same afternoon in Maces Bay," RCMP said on Friday. 

"Later that day, the woman's body was located with the assistance of Police Dog Services."

Police said criminality was suspected in her death and an autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause.

Teakles had two children, according to her mother, Cathy Dubee, speaking with CBC News through family friend Tiffany Harvey. 

Harvey said Burns-Smith and Teakles had been dating on and off. 

The 26-year-old had been living with her children, sister and mother in Rothesay, Harvey said.

Burns-Smith was remanded into custody and will return to court on April 28.