Two charged with first-degree murder in death of Calgary man found in burning vehicle
Vance Pidborochynski and Shelby Filkowski, both of Lethbridge, charged in connection with Frans Faras, 24, found dead in burned vehicle south of Eden Valley in February.
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Two Lethbridge residents have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Frans Faras, a 24-year-old Calgary man whose remains were found in a burned vehicle in February.
Vance Pidborochynski, 37, and Shelby Filkowski, 30, both appeared in court Monday and remain in custody. Filkowski's next court appearance is set for Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks on October 30; Pidborochynski is scheduled to appear in Calgary court on November 5.
The remains were discovered around 8:30 p.m. on February 4 following a grass fire south of Eden Valley, roughly 20 kilometres west of Longview. A burned vehicle at the scene contained unidentified human remains that were later identified as Faras through autopsy.
The two accused were arrested on April 20 in an alley behind Mt. Rundle Boulevard in Lethbridge, two and a half months after Faras' remains were discovered. The arrest came following police observation of the pair trafficking drugs from a vehicle on April 17. A Critical Incident Team was called out due to a possible presence of firearms. A residence search seized a loaded sawed-off shotgun, a sawed-off rifle, and large quantities of ammunition.
Pidborochynski and Filkowski also face additional charges including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, tampering with a serial number, unauthorized possession of a motor vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. The relationship between the accused and Faras, as well as the motive for the killing, have not been disclosed.
What was the relationship between Frans Faras and the two accused?
What circumstances led to the killing?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who was charged with first-degree murder in Frans Faras's death?
Vance Pidborochynski, 37, and Shelby Filkowski, 30, both residents of Lethbridge, were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Faras's death.
When were Frans Faras's remains found?
Frans Faras's remains were discovered around 8:30 p.m. on February 4 in a burned vehicle south of Eden Valley, roughly 20 kilometres west of Longview.
When were the two accused arrested?
Vance Pidborochynski and Shelby Filkowski were arrested on April 20 in an alley behind Mt. Rundle Boulevard in Lethbridge.
What weapons were seized during the residence search?
Police seized a loaded sawed-off shotgun, a sawed-off rifle, and large quantities of ammunition from a residence.
