Man charged in 2015 West Kelowna murder of his new wife

WEST KELOWNA – Police have arrested and charged a man with the 2015 murder of a local woman.

Kevin Costin, 57 years old, was arrested Saturday, May 26, and charged with second degree murder, arson and indignity to human remains in the death of his wife, 37-year-old Hazel Budiongan, in 2015, according to a police press release. She was found Nov. 4, 2015 after a house fire at 2311 Boucherie Road in West Kelowna. Her death was determined to be a homicide in March 2016.

“The 18-month long investigation culminated in the identifying of the person alleged to be responsible for her death and charge approval being received from Crown Counsel based on the investigations findings,” Insp. Anna Marie Mallard says in the press release.

Costin was living in Kelowna before his arrest. He will appear in court today, May 29.

"Throughout the course of this investigation our officers remained committed to finding who was responsible for Hazel's death," Mallard says. “Both Hazel and her family deserved this. By finding who was responsible we are hopeful of providing a sense of closure for Hazel's loved ones and answers to the community that was affected by this terrible tragedy."

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