Edmonton murder investigation leads to Kelowna man

EDMONTON – A Kelowna man has been charged with first degree murder following an investigation into a 2012 house fire where the body of a man was found.

Thaven Phillip Gardiner, 38, was charged in the death of Phillipp Jochen Woehrle, 28, whose body was found by Edmonton Fire and rescue amongst the ashes of a doused residential fire in the area of 129 Street and 117 Avenue in Edmonton Tuesday, May 8, 2012. 

The medical examiner deemed Woehrle's death a homicide though the cause of death has not been released.

Gardiner, who was arrested with the help of the Kelowna RCMP Tues. Nov. 26 has also been charged with damage by fire. He will appear before a Provincial Court judge in B.C. where he will be remanded and returned to Edmonton to face charges.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.